By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Republican candidate for governor Ashley Kalus confirms, her campaign will unveil a “Democrats for Kalus” group in an announcement next Tuesday, and at least one prominent Democrat confirms he will be signing his name to the effort.

Word of the effort came from a caller to WPRO’s Tara Granahan Show Friday morning, and within short order, Kalus confirmed the group’s formation.

“It was pretty organic, I think you can see just by our inability to sort of keep it quiet. People are really excited and they want change,” Kalus said in a call to Tara’s show.

Former North Providence Mayor Dick Fossa, now the Chief of Staff to current Mayor Charles Lombardi, an outspoken supporter of incumbent Democrat Dan McKee also voiced his support for Kalus in a call to WPRO’s Matt Allen Show.

“They talk about McKee hitting the ground running. I think he tripped out of the starting block, myself,” Fossa said.

“Governor McKee has slipped a little too far to the left, he’s a little liberal, he’s a little progressive, and I’m more of a conservative Democrat,” said Fossa, former Democratic Town Chairman in North Providence.

“I just think that Ashley Kalus is a fresh look, a fresh face, the right person at the right time at the right place, you know?”

Kalus urged Democrats and independents to disregard party labels and to support her.

“Anyone who’s on the fence, or anybody who is a Democrat, you are welcome to join our movement, join our team. Anyone who wants to see a change in the future of our state is welcome,” Kalus said.

WPRO News has reached out to the McKee campaign for a response.