Bill Lynch, state Democratic Party chairman, isn't going to get his wish of an uncontested primary for attorney general -- the office sought by his brother, Patrick. Bill Guglietta, who ran for the office in 1998 and has since been working for Sheldon Whitehouse (who will run for governor) plans to run again. And Guglietta say he's confident he'll get the endorsement because he's "paid his dues" to the party and will have 10 years in at the AG's office by next year, including six under former AG Jim O'Neil.

Guglietta was a favorite of House Speaker John Harwood, whose strong support was instrumental in his getting the 1998 endorsement. Anticipating that Bill Lynch may support his own younger brother, Guglietta met with the chairman nine months ago. Guglietta won't talk about the meeting, except to say, "Bill Lynch has his opinion about [who should be] the attorney general, but it has nothing to do with the best interests of the Democratic Party" Lynch says the meeting was cordial, but, like Guglietta, he wouldn't talk much about specifics. Brother Patrick wasn't present for the confab.

Guglietta, who hasn't named campaign staff nor held a fund-raiser, has $3000 left from his 1998 campaign. But Mike Zarrella, who coordinated his last run, is still with him. Zarrella is the son of real estate developer Gerald Zarrella of East Greenwich, a big Democratic contributor and fund-raiser, who hosted President Clinton at his Block Island home a few years ago. Guglietta estimates he'll need $225,000 or more for the primary campaign -- an estimate that seems low if a primary fight ensues.

The former chief of the narcotics prosecution unit under Whitehouse, Guglietta claims his experience is better than that of Lynch, who spent six years as an assistant attorney general during the tenure of Republican Jeff Pine, since Lynch hasn't headed a particular division in the AG's office. Guglietta also cites the times he's served as acting attorney general when Whitehouse has periodically been out of the area.

If anything, the possibility of a bitter primary between Patrick Lynch and Bill Guglietta may encourage Republican aspirants for the job.

Issue Date: August 31 - September 6, 2001