A Republican candidate has emerged in the governor race in Rhode Island.
Ashley Kalus will officially announce her candidacy within the next two weeks, a source close to the campaign confirmed to NBC 10 News.
She is the first Republican to enter the race.
Kalus, under her married name Ashley Weinzweig, filed her notice to run for the office Feb. 8.
According to that filing, she is a Newport resident and tax records indicate she bought a Newport home with her husband in May of 2021.
Kalus and her husband are listed as co-managers of Doctors Test Centers, a medical company contracted by the state to provide COVID testing.
She previously worked in politics in Illinois under former Republican Governor Bruce Rauner.
Rhode Island GOP Chairwoman Sue Cienki told NBC 10 News on Feb. 8 that she had spoke to Kalus and that "she is crossing the state speaking to voters about problems we face and what she can do to help put R.I. on the right track."
Gov. Dan McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Helena Foulkes, Matt Brown and Dr. Luis Munoz are seeking the Democratic nomination.
Original source can be found here.
