Providence, R.I. — Former Gov. Lincoln Chafee is taking some time with his family but has no plans for the future after ending his presidential campaign, his spokeswoman said Monday.

The Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat called it quits Friday. He wasn't available for comment Monday about what's next for him, spokeswoman Debbie Rich said.

Former staffers and political observers said they can see a number of roles for him going forward, perhaps teaching or working with a nonprofit group on peace or refugee issues. Some said it's possible the options open to Chafee were narrowed by his poorly run campaign.

Mike Trainor, who served as Chafee's first director of communications, said he always thought of Chafee as a good teacher and Chafee could enhance the faculty at one of the state's universities. Chafee has a degree in classics from Brown University, and he worked as a fellow at its Watson Institute for International Studies after losing his U.S. Senate seat in 2006 and before running for governor in 2010.

The Watson Institute said it was pleased to have Chafee serve as a distinguished visiting fellow following his time in the Senate and invited him back as a visiting fellow when he was concluding his term as governor. It remains open to exploring that opportunity, spokeswoman Marisa Quinn said.

Trainor said it was unlikely that Chafee would return to elected office.

"I don't see any future for him in public life. He's run the string as mayor and senator and governor," said Trainor, who has not spoken with Chafee recently.

Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University, said past speculation that Chafee would end up as an ambassador is probably not in the cards. She cited his tin-eared focus on the metric system during his presidential campaign and his poor performance during a nationally televised debate.

"To be an ambassador means to be publicly very articulate, very forceful and not make any missteps," she said. "Governor Chafee did not demonstrate the kind of communication skills at the national level that you need to be an ambassador."

She said she could see him working for a "lower-level" federal agency, such as the Department of the Interior, though not at the level of Cabinet secretary. She said he was not "overly successful" as governor and would be more suited to a job such as a deputy assistant secretary.

"He hasn't really shown a lot of management skills," she said.

She said Chafee could have a future at a nonprofit group focusing on international politics, peace or refugee initiatives, a good fit given his interests, wealth and a social circle that has the means to donate to such causes.

Chafee's former speechwriter, Christian Vareika, said Chafee ran for president because of his deep and genuinely held concern about foreign policy issues.

"I would not be surprised to see him do something in that sphere," Vareika said.

Chafee is still young at 62 and has a lot to offer, said J.R. Pagliarini, a former longtime staffer.

"He's been in public service for 30 years for all the right reasons," Pagliarini said. "I know he's got a lot of time left to contribute."