Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha is preparing to leave office in January after eight years leading the state’s top prosecutorial office and nearly 16 years in senior legal roles, including his prior service as U.S. attorney for Rhode Island. Speaking aboard his sailboat in Narragansett Bay, Neronha reflected on his career and explained why he decided not to pursue the governorship in the 2024 election.
At 62 and term-limited from seeking another term as attorney general, Neronha said he had considered running for governor last fall. Internal polling reportedly showed favorable public support, but he ultimately concluded that pursuing higher office was not aligned with his personal goals for the coming decade. “Don’t chase something because other people say you should,” he remarked, indicating plans to focus on traveling, reading, and sailing instead of elective office. He also mentioned a possible future role involving engagement with Boston College Law School, his alma mater.
Neronha, known for his direct and sometimes combative style, acknowledged that such a temperament might not suit the role of governor or judge. He noted efforts to moderate his use of social media, especially on the platform X, but said he is programmed to confront criticism rather than retreat into safer public spaces.
During his tenure, Neronha has been involved in significant legal actions and investigations. Among his major accomplishments, he cited requiring the for-profit owners of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center to place $80 million in escrow to secure ongoing operations. This financial safeguard helped keep the two safety-net hospitals running until they were acquired by the nonprofit Centurion Foundation, aided by an $18 million state loan guarantee passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly. Neronha emphasized that closures of these hospitals would have severely disrupted the state’s health care system.
His office also issued a notable report in March 2024 that documented credible allegations of sexual abuse by 75 clergy members against more than 300 children within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence dating back to 1950. While no criminal charges were filed against the diocese, the report included recommendations such as reopening previously expired civil claims, a legislative measure that passed in June.
Neronha’s tenure was marked by extensive litigation against the Trump administration. His office filed or joined 68 lawsuits targeting federal policies on issues including education, public health, and housing, with 16 suits originating in Rhode Island. While critics accused him of prioritizing these political battles over criminal prosecutions, Neronha rejected that characterization, pointing out that his team uncovered thousands of unprocessed criminal cases soon after he took office and worked to address backlog issues.
He also faced controversy over a high-profile confrontation with Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini in 2023. Neronha had posted critiques on X about judicial practices related to jury trials, which Procaccini deemed violations of professional conduct and referred to the state Supreme Court disciplinary board. Neronha said he regretted his choice of words but was satisfied with the outcome.
In 2024, Neronha released a report alleging that Governor Daniel J. McKee violated state procurement rules by steering a multimillion-dollar contract to a politically connected firm, though no criminal charges were filed. McKee denied wrongdoing and called the investigation politically motivated. Neronha defended the public disclosure as necessary given the time invested and legislative changes subsequently enacted to prevent bid-rigging.
Reflecting on Rhode Island’s political leadership, Neronha criticized former Governor Gina Raimondo’s departure during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed a belief that the state requires stronger leadership. He also noted that when former Congressman David N. Cicilline resigned in 2023, he chose not to run for the seat to complete his current term instead.
As Neronha moves toward retirement from public office, he drew an analogy to sailing, a lifelong passion rooted in his Jamestown upbringing. Navigating the waters under sail, he said, “Sometimes you miss the target, but then you correct course,” underscoring his pragmatic approach to challenges inside and outside of office.