Taveras says he will work for good schools, opportunity in gubernatorial bid_BINARY_1266584
Randal Edgar RandyEdgar1
PROVIDENCE -- Calling himself a ``working optimist,'' who will fight for good schools and economic opportunity, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras launched his campaign for governor on Monday from the library of a local school.
Watched by more than 80 people who crammed in to hear the announcement, Taveras, a Democrat, said he worked to turn around the financial fortunes of Providence and will do the same for Rhode Island if elected governor.
"I got things done in Providence, not by throwing bombs or posturing,'' he told the crowd in the Meeting Street School library. ``I got things done by building coalitions, by bringing in the best ideas, by seeking common ground and making a decision.''
He also seemed to go to lengths to distinguish himself from likely rival and fellow Democrat Gina M. Raimondo, the state general treasurer.
"I don't grab headlines, I want to grab on to good ideas and turn them into reality,'' he said. ``I don't divide people. I bring people together.''