Gary Sasse Considers Run For Seat Being Vacated By Watson

East Greenwich resident Gary Sasse confirmed Thursday he is considering running for the state representative District 30 seat now held by Bob Watson. Watson announced last week he would not run for re-election.

When asked if he was thinking about running, Sasse said, "Yes, it's something I'm thinking about."

This would be Sasse's first run for public office, but not his first time in the public eye.

He was director of the state Department of Administration and the Department of Revenue for several years under Gov. Donald Carcieri. Before that, he ran the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council for nearly 30 years.

Currently, Sasse is the director of the Bryant Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University. He also has a consulting business and is fiscal advisor for the Providence City Council.

Sasse said "various people" had asked him to run. He wouldn't say who.

"It would be a public service" to serve in the General Assembly, he said. "The state is facing some very serious issues."

Two other people have said they would run for the District 30 seat. . Republican . Sasse is a Republican so he would face a primary election against Bolton if he decided to run.

Anyone interested in running for office must file declaration of candidacy papers between Monday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 27.