Ex-GOP, now independent R.I. Gov. Chafee to become a Democrat
Updated 3:25 p.m. ET
Independent Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is joining the Democratic Party ahead of his bid for a second term, CBS News has confirmed.
The former Republican U.S. senator, part of a quickly-vanishing set of northeastern, less-ideological Republicans, left the GOP in 2007 after losing a re-election bid in 2006 and was elected as the nation's only independent governor in 2010.
- 2010: Lincoln Chafee enters R.I. governor's race
- 2008: Former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee backs Obama
Two Democratic sources tell the Associated Press say Chafee plans to change his party registration to join the party.
Chafee has been saying for months that he was thinking about the switch, noting that he shares many positions with Democrats and that joining the party will help with fundraising.
He is a supporter of President Obama and spoke at last year's Democratic National Convention.
"I'm delighted to hear that Governor Chafee is joining the Democratic Party," Mr. Obama said in a statement distributed by the Democratic National Committee.
"I enjoyed working with Linc when he was a Republican in the United States Senate, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration on the issues that matter not just to the Democratic Party, but to every American."
The move further complicates next year's Democratic primary and sets up the possibility of a three-way matchup with Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Treasurer Gina Raimondo.
In 2010, Chafee won with just over one-third of the vote in a three-way contest, taking advantage of strong name identification. Whoever emerges from next year's primary - there's no certainty Chafee will - will look to take advantage of the state's heavily Democratic leanings.
CBS News' Caroline Horn and Anthony Salvanto contributed to this report.