Ex-presidential candidate Chafee skips Democratic convention

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Former Democratic presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee (CHAY’-fee) is skipping the Democratic National Convention.

A spokeswoman for the former Rhode Island governor says he is out of the country this week on a long-planned family trip. She did not give details.

Asked about his absence, the state Democratic Party said Chafee is not a sitting governor or member of Congress and did not run as a delegate.

Chafee spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, when he was still an independent. He later became a Democrat. Earlier in his career, he was a Republican U.S. senator.

Chafee’s daughter, Louisa, is competing in the Olympics in Rio. The U.S. Sailing team says she will arrive Friday. Her father is expected to be there to watch her compete. Competition starts Aug. 8.