March 15, 1999
Web posted at: 3:37 p.m. EST (2037 GMT)

WASHINGTON (March 15) -- Moderate Republican Sen. John Chafee (R-Rhode Island) announced Monday he is retiring next year. He made the announcement in his home state this afternoon. Chafee is serving his fourth term in the Senate.

Chafee's retirement had been long predicted. He will be 78-years-old in 2000 but he kept his own counsel and did not even confide in his staff, although he flew his senior congressional staffers to Rhode Island for the announcement.

Sen. John Chafee announced Monday that he will retire next year

An official at the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee Monday was bullish about Democratic prospects in the state, which ranks among the most Democratic in the nation.

Ninety-two of the 100 lawmakers in the state legislature are Democrats. But a Democratic primary is probable. Among the possible Democratic candidates are Jim Langevin, the Rhode Island secretary of state; Bill Lynch, the Democratic state chairman and Rep. Robert Weygand.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy is not expected to run. He has made a commitment to the House and recently became chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

On the Republican side, Lincoln Chafee, the senator's son and a local mayor, is frequently mentioned as a candidate along with former Rep. Ron Matchley. Matchley gave up the 1st congressional district seat in 1994 to make an unsuccessful run for governor.

Monday, March 15, 1999

• Medicare showing its age at 40
• Public opinion does not side with most proposed Medicare reforms
• Former potential foe Gephardt will endorse Gore
• Poll: Gore gets high marks on issues, character but lags behind other candidates
• Forbes expected to launch candidacy this week
• 2000 Senate races heating up
• Sen. Chafee announces retirement
• Los Angeles' pitch for DNC 2000 convention may have paid off
• Testimony resumes in McDougal trial
• Clinton tops poll on foreign policy
• McCain slams Clinton policies in speech on geopolitics
• Sununu co-chairing Quayle campaign
• Report: New Jersey gov. to run for Senate
• Sen. Mack makes retirement official
• Parties fight for control of House

ARCHIVES