Brown to challenge Chafee

Providence Journal:

Secretary of State Matt Brown announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate today, saying "it's going to take new leadership to tackle the problems people are facing in Rhode Island."

Brown, a Democrat, says he has already raised more than $212,000 for his bid to unseat Republican Lincoln Chafee in 2006.

"I'm running for U.S. Senate because people all across Rhode Island are facing serious problems every day and the politicians in Washington aren't getting the job
done for them," Brown said in a press release announcing his candidacy. "My parents taught me that when you see something wrong -- you do what you can to fix it."

Brown added, "We need a senator who has rolled up his sleeves and been in the trenches working to make life better for people right here in our state. All that matters is getting the job done and getting results for people in Rhode Island."

Here's the most recent poll on Brown, but it is from June of 2004:
How would you rate the job Matt Brown is doing as secretary of state?

2% excellent
26% good
19% only fair
3% poor
50% don't know or no answer

So it would seem the larger problem for Brown would be a name recognition issue.

Here's Chafee's numbers, for comparison
How would you rate the job Lincoln Chafee is doing as U.S. Senator?

11% excellent
45% good
22% only fair
7% poor
15% don't know or no answer