Lincoln Chafee forms 2016 exploratory committee to run as a Democrat

In a surprise move, former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee on Thursday revealed he is considering a 2016 presidential bid as a Democrat.

"The Republicans have lots of choices. I feel that Democratic voters deserve choices too," Chafee said in an interview with Rhode Island Public Radio.

Unlike other alternatives to presumptive frontrunner Hillary Clinton, Chafee gave no previous indication he was eyeing a White House run. Chafee served as a Republican senator and as an Independent governor before converting to the Democratic Party in 2013.

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