Rhode Island’s activist attorney general, Peter F. Neronha, has lots of unfinished business as he hits the homestretch of his second and final term.
He’s a vocal leader in efforts to bolster the state’s struggling health care system. He also remains committed to R.I. decarbonization goals that include reaching net zero by 2050.
And he’s raised his national profile as a leading legal adversary of much of President Donald Trump’s sweeping national agenda.
It will be a busy final year and a half in office for the term-limited attorney general. But that may not be the end of his time in the political arena.
Long rumored as a gubernatorial candidate, he confirmed to PBN in this week’s Q&A cover story that he is considering a run against fellow Democrat Gov. Daniel J. McKee, who will seek reelection.
“There are things that need fixing [in government]. As governor, you have an opportunity to lead … [and fix] things. I like fixing things. I like building teams,” he said. What’s best for his family will also factor heavily in his decision, he says, which will come this summer.
But if he does run, he says fixing the ailing health care system will be a priority, along with improving public education in Providence and other cities.
Regarding his relationship with Gov. McKee, with whom he has repeatedly clashed, the attorney general acknowledged “it’s not very good.”
But he insisted it doesn’t affect his staff’s work with the governor’s office.
“I have a job to do and I’m just going to keep doing it,” he said.