The Barry Hinckley for Senate campaign has announced that John Loughlin, former Republican candidate for U.S. Representative in 2010 against David Cicilline will assume the position of executive director.

“I think Barry is the guy who is going to create jobs and frankly Rhode Island is dying right now, and we need a senator who will lead our congressional delegation with real business experience,” said Loughlin. Loughlin said Hinckley, a Republican, has the resume necessary to help turn the economy around.

"I am very excited that John will be joining our team to defeat Sheldon Whitehouse," said Hinckley. "John shares my values of private sector job growth and a government that doesn't continue to spend our children's future."

Hinckley said that he looks forward to working with Loughlin because of his unique insight, having run a congressional campaign in the past. "His political experience building and running a campaign here in Rhode Island will help us execute on our plan to put Sheldon Whitehouse in the same unemployment line he's been ignoring while in Washington," said Hinckley. Loughlin lost in 2010 to David Cicilline.

Loughlin said that after looking at polls that the campaign commissioned, he believes Hinckley has a “solid chance” of overcoming incumbent Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.