Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Block on Monday endorsed Steven Frias, describing Frias as someone who will bring greater change to the Statehouse.
“Steve Frias is honest and intelligent and he will not be afraid to champion government reform or hold the Raimondo administration accountable,” Block said in a statement distributed by the state Republican Party. “It is time for Rhode Island voters to take back control of their state house and provide an object lesson to every legislator that those legislators cannot take their seats for granted. The people want better government and less corruption at the state house. I believe that Steve Frias is the candidate to provide the leadership necessary to fulfill that mission.”
Block ran for governor as a Republican in 2014, losing the primary to Allan Fung. He also ran for governor as a Moderate Party candidate in 2010.
Meanwhile, former State Police Col. Brendan Doherty, who became a Democrat after running for Congress as a Republican in 2012, spoke in support of Mattiello during a campaign event over the weekend. Mattiello has also won the endorsement of The Providence Journal.
The election do decide the race between Frias and Mattiello is November 8.