State Rep. Robert Craven (D-North Kingstown), a long-time lawmaker and former state prosecutor, announced Monday his run to be Rhode Island’s next attorney general.
Craven, 69, was first elected to the House in 2012 and he currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
According to his legislative biography, he worked in the AG’s office from 1983 to 1992, serving for part of that time as chief of the Public Corruption Unit. Craven, who has his own law practice, has also served as a municipal solicitor or assistant solicitor.
The longtime lawmaker is among at least three Democrats seeking to succeed Attorney General Peter Neronha, who is precluded by term limits from seeking re-election. The primary will be in September 2026.
Craven faces competition from state Rep. Jason Knight (D-Barrington), who is announcing his campaign Oct. 6, and Keith Hoffmann of Providence, formerly director of policy in Neronha’s office, who is formally unveiling his run at noon Tuesday. Kim Ahern, head of the state Cannabis Control Commission, is also considered a potential candidate.
Craven said his experience sets him apart.
“We’re in pretty unexpected times where there’s a lot of dispute, fighting over fundamental issues that relate to our fundamental freedoms,” he said in an interview. “And I think I’ve got the experience and the track record to be able to fight those fights.”
Craven is a graduate of URI and New England School of Law. He lives in the Saunderstown section of North Kingstown with his wife, Susan, and they have two sons, Robert and Joseph.
His campaign touts him as a leading voice in the House on strengthening gun safety laws, protecting the environment and legislation meant to safeguard women from domestic violence.
Craven said he believes Neronha has done “a great job” as AG, working with counterparts from other states “to find ways to create opportunities for us to push back a person that’s in the president’s chair that thinks he’s a king.”
However, while Neronha has likened President Trump to a schoolyard bully who will continue taking other students’ lunch without opposition, Craven said he supports negotiating with the Trump administration while simultaneously pursuing a lawsuit over the administration’s attempt to stop the Revolution Wind power project.
“Everything else, I think he’s spot-on and his track record has shown that,” Craven said, referring to Neronha.
Craven’s team said he expects to report having a campaign balance of more than $360,000 at the end of this quarter. His campaign is being advised by Mindy Myers, who has previously worked for U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and other prominent Democrats.
Asked who he thought the best Rhode Island attorney general was in his lifetime, Craven cited James O’Neil, who served from 1987 to 1991. Craven worked for O’Neil for six years and said the former AG will be actively involved in his campaign.
Craven said the biggest challenge he’s faced in his life was overcoming alcoholism. He said he’s been sober for 22 years.
While House Republicans criticized and questioned the legality of Neronha’s move to use $10 million from an environmental contamination settlement to boost dental health for Providence children, Craven said he supported the effort.
Craven said he fears Rhode Island’s healthcare crisis will continue to get worse and take a bigger toll on the state without successful efforts to address it.
He said he plans to introduce legislation in 2026 requiring the state to increase Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement over the next three fiscal years to the median rate for New England. Craven acknowledged there’s no clear way to pay for that, but he said the magnitude of the problem requires new approaches.
Asked if he will support House Speaker Joe Shekarchi for governor if Shekarchi runs, Craven said, “He’d be my first choice.”
