Rhode Island – A campaign‑finance complaint has been lodged against Aaron Guckian, the Republican candidate for governor, by his primary opponent Elaine Pelino. Pelino posted on Facebook that she is filing a formal complaint with the state Board of Elections, alleging Guckian deliberately omitted disclosure of a private‑plane trip taken in late September to attend a fundraising event in Florida.

Details of the alleged omission

According to the complaint, Guckian’s campaign filed a finance report that failed to list the cost of the private‑plane travel. The trip was intended to support a fundraiser that was to be headlined by Eric and Lara Trump. The Providence Journal previously reported that Guckian’s campaign acknowledged the private‑plane travel but said the expense had not been reflected in the filing submitted a week later.

Campaign’s response

Guckian’s campaign told NBC 10 that the omission was not intentional. “You can’t report anything you have not been billed for yet,” the campaign said. “We have not received an invoice from the company that provided the transportation. We have requested the invoice and advised the Board of Elections that an invoice has been requested by the campaign. When we receive the invoice, it will be paid for by the campaign. At that point, our report will be amended to reflect the payment to the aviation company that provided the private transportation.”

The campaign also released a statement from Guckian himself, noting, “I’m focused on the debate tonight and the people currently in the race.”

Board of Elections stance

A spokesperson for the Rhode Island Board of Elections responded that all investigations into campaign‑finance complaints remain confidential until the board determines there is cause to believe a violation occurred.

Political context

Pelino’s complaint raises concerns about transparency in campaign financing, especially as Guckian continues to raise money from Republican donors, including seniors on fixed incomes. Pelino warned that undisclosed expenses could ultimately be covered by contributions from these donors.

The dispute comes amid a heated Republican primary for the governor’s race, where Guckian defeated Pelino in the September primary. Both candidates have positioned themselves as champions of traditional values and limited government, but the complaint underscores ongoing intra‑party tensions.

What voters should know

Rhode Island voters who are following the gubernatorial race should be aware that the Board of Elections will review the complaint and determine whether any campaign‑finance laws were violated. The outcome could affect public perception of Guckian’s commitment to fiscal transparency and may influence fundraising efforts as the general election approaches.

For now, the investigation remains confidential, and no formal findings have been released.

Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.