Peter Neronha - Attorney General of Rhode Island

Peter Franz Neronha was born on December 17, 1963, and is from Jamestown, Rhode Island. He has had a distinguished career in law and public service spanning over two decades. Neronha is married to a primary care doctor and is the father of two sons.

On November 6, 2018, Neronha was elected as Rhode Island's 74th Attorney General and was sworn in on January 1, 2019. He was reelected to a second, four-year term in 2022, running unopposed in the Democratic primary both times. In the 2018 general election, he defeated Compassion Party candidate Alan Gordon with 79.8% of the vote.

As Attorney General, Neronha serves as the state's top lawyer and law enforcement official. His office prosecutes criminal cases, represents state agencies and departments in litigation, initiates legal action to protect Rhode Island residents' interests, and oversees the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

Notable Achievements

During his tenure as Attorney General, Neronha has prioritized proactive enforcement of civil rights, consumer protection, and environmental and health care matters. Notable initiatives include:

• Joining a multi-state lawsuit challenging the President's National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States
• Initiating a comprehensive review into the Catholic Diocese of Providence to examine sexual abuse claims, modeled on the Pennsylvania Grand Jury investigation
• Spearheading efforts in 2025 with Democratic attorneys general across the country to protect Americans from executive actions considered beyond constitutional authority

Education

Neronha graduated from North Kingstown High School. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Boston College in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1989.

Political Experience

Political Party: Democrat

Career Timeline:

• 1996-2002: Special Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General in the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, where he prosecuted criminal matters in state courts
• 2002-2009: Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney's Office, serving in multiple roles including Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force
• 2009-2017: United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, appointed by President Barack Obama with unanimous Senate confirmation. He was recommended for this position by Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse
• 2019-Present: Attorney General of Rhode Island

Prior to his public service career, Neronha worked at the Boston law firm Goodwin, Proctor L.L.P. for seven years.