By JIM BARON

PROVIDENCE — She was never officially in, but now Democrat Elizabeth Roberts is officially out of the 2010 campaign for governor.

Roberts announced Wednesday that she will seek a second term as lieutenant governor, saying she would use that post “to make health care affordable for every Rhode Islander.”
The Cranston Democrat, who was a five-term state senator, made no secret of her desire to become the state’s first female governor, she had already broken ground by being the first woman elected lieutenant governor. While she was always mentioned along with other unannounced 2010 Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls such as General Treasurer Frank Caprio and Attorney General Patrick Lynch, she consistently lagged behind in campaign contribution and in early polling.
The most recent reporting period for political donations ended Tuesday and Roberts’ report was not available from the state Board of Elections.
Roberts’ announcement apparently cleared out what had been becoming a crowded field for the Democratic nomination as lieutenant governor. Three candidates who had expressed interest in the job and had started to lay the groundwork for campaigns – Pawtucket Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan, Burrillville Rep. Edwin Pacheco and North Smithfield Sen. John Tassoni – all said Wednesday that they would bow out of the race for the second spot on the ballot and indicated varying levels of support for the incumbent.
“I’ve spent the past few months exploring a run for governor,” Roberts said in a written statement, “and I want to thank all of my supporters and let them know that I will continue to work to turn the page on politics as usual in Rhode Island. I will continue to fight for quality health care for all; a stronger, more diverse Rhode Island economy; and honest, open and effective government. These have been, and will continue to be, the focus of my public service.”
“National health care reform is happening now and will not wait for Rhode Island to be ready to respond,” the statement continued. “As President Obama and Congress develop national health care reform, I will work all day, every day, to ensure that federal policies reflect the reality of the struggles of everyday Rhode Islanders. Given the urgency of the national health care reforms coming to Rhode Island at a time when our economy is so seriously distressed, Rhode Islanders need leadership on this issue now.”
Dennigan told The Times on Wednesday that Roberts, “was kind enough to call me this afternoon with the news. It must have been a tough decision for her.”
As a result, Dennigan said, “I won’t be running for lieutenant governor.”
Noting that, “I am still serving my (Pawtucket-East Providence) district, but pretty typically for elected officials, I am always looking for other opportunities in the future,” Dennigan did not commit to either running for re-election or seeking another office next year.
Pacheco, who had indicated a desire to run for lieutenant governor but always said he would defer to Roberts if she sought another term issued this statement Wednesday: “Lieutenant Governor Roberts has done an exceptional job; I look forward to supporting her bid for re-election and to continuing to work with her in her current
capacity. 
“As for me – I am committed to my role as state representative and look forward to my own campaign for re-election.  I would be honored to continue to serve my current constituents and look forward to working on behalf of the people of our great state,” said Pacheco, whose district covers Burrillville and parts of Glocester.
Tassoni said he too will seek re-election in his North Smithfield-Smithfield Senate district.
Speaking of Roberts, Tassoni said, “Obviously, I wish her well and will be supporting her.
“I want to thank everyone who supported my campaign,” Tassoni said of his brief bid for lieutenant governor. I will run for re-election in my senate district and see what happens in 2014.”
Most recently, Roberts led the fight to restore funding to the Office of Health Insurance Commissioner, an agency she worked to create while she was in the Senate, and has been in the forefront of opposition to proposed premium increases by the health insurance companies working in the state.