First Read has confirmed that Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) will run for re-election next year as a Democrat, according to a Democratic source with knowledge of the decision.

Before running as an independent during his successful 2010 gubernatorial bid, Chafee served served as Republican senator (from 1999 to 2007) before losing his Senate seat to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse in 2006.

*** UPDATE *** According to observers of next year's race for Rhode Island governor, it is very possible that Chafee -- now a Democrat -- might NOT win a potentially crowded Democratic primary that likely will also feature state Treasurer Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

But these observers say Chafee made the switch from independent to Democrat to give himself a better chance of winning a state where President Obama got 63% of the vote in 2012.