House of Cards, Rhode Island Style

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv Contributor

 

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Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright in Netflix's "House of Cards." Photo courtesy Sony Pictures

Where are the 2014 campaign workers now?

Over the last few years, a new level of interest in the inner workings of politics and political campaigns, and the intrigue that lies therein, was aroused in the public by perhaps the only medium that could do so in the 21st century: a popular television/internet entertainment series.

Netflix's "House of Cards", starring Kevin Spacey, has made the inner workings of politics, and the staffers and campaign workers that plot, ploy, and poll their bosses into power (or obscurity), more interesting to, and more aware by, the public at large.

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But according to Victor Profughi, a former Rhode Island College Political Science Professor, and the principal of Quest Research, a polling firm located here in Rhode Island, full-time political operatives have been the norm in Rhode Island politics since the Joe Garrahy era, which began in the late 1970s.

Profughi pointed out that there generally are two kinds of campaign workers: those who work on a political campaign and then, assuming their boss is victorious, go on to work in his administration, or if not, and they've made the right connections, go on to work for another politician's administration. 

Two Types

The other sort of campaign worker travels from campaign to campaign, and works in different parts of the country during any given campaign. Danny Kedem, who managed Angel Taveras's campaign for governor last year, is that sort of operative. Prior to working with Taveras, Kedem worked with scandal plagued former New York Congressman Anthoiny Weiner. (He left that campaign after revelations of Weiner's continuous salacious activity.)

Eric Hyers, who successfully guided Gina Raimondo into the Governor's office, is another example. Prior to managing Raimondo's campaign, Hyers managed both of Congressman David Cicilline's successful Congressional bids, as well as other campaigns in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. (Neither Hyers or Kedem could be reached for comment for this article.) Devin Driscoll, who managed Clay Pell's campaign for Governor, has moved to Minnesota and it's unclear what he's doing there.

On the Republican side, Patrick Sweeney, who served as campaign manager for Allan Fung, said he's been doing some private legal and political consulting since the long, tiring campaign ended.

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Jeff Britt ran Ken Block's campaign for Governor.

His Republican counterpart, Jeff Britt, who ran Ken Block's campaign for Governor, had perhaps the most envious after-election experience. Britt said he's traveled and vacationed almost non-stop since the election, visiting more than 20 countries on several continents.

In Rhode Island, however, the other form of campaign worker, the one who works for the government after the campaign, seems to be far more prevalent.

The most notable political operative from the 2014 campaign cycle was Brett Smiley, who began the campaign cycle in 2014 as a strong candidate for mayor in his own right. When both he and then candidate Jorge Elorza found themselves lagging significantly behind in the polls last summer, (due almost completely to the fact that they were drawing from the same portion of the electorate) Smiley agreed to drop out of the race and throw his support fully behind Elorza.  At that point, he became Elorza's de facto manager. 

Where are they now?

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Brett Smiley went on to become the COO of Providence after dropping out of the race for Mayor to support Jorge Elorza.

The rest is history. Now, Smiley serves as Elorza's "Chief Operating Officer", and is widely regarded as his top lieutenant. Marissa O'Gara, who served as Elorza's campaign manager from the beginning of his campaign, now works in Providence City Hall as his Deputy Cheif of Staff.

That high profile case aside, there are several other campaign managers and operatives who have landed in key positions.

In that same race, Jake Bissaillon managed Michael Solomon's unsuccessful bid for Mayor. Since that race ended, Bissaillon, who was previously a part-time law school student, is now attending school full-time. He also works in the State House policy office part-time doing research.

Matt Jerzyk, who for a time worked on Solomon's mayoral campaign, and also worked on Ralph Mollis's campaign for Lieutenant Governor and Frank Caprio's campaign for Treasurer last year, has landed in the the State House as well - he now serves as Deputy Legal Council to House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello with a salary of $99,000 a year. (He also has a municipal gig serving as the Central Falls city solicitor, a position he has held for the last few years.)

Safety and Security...in Government

In the same respect, Andrew Caruolo, son of well-known statehouse lobbyist and former House Majority Leader George Caruolo, who managed Caprio's Treasurer bid last year, has also found himself a spot in the comfy confines of the Rhode Island State House. Caruolo works in the press office of the House of Representatives.

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Evan England successfully ran Seth Magaziner's campaign for Secretary of State, and now serves as Press Secretary to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Meanwhile, Evan England, who successfully orchestrated Seth Magaziner's bid for Treasurer last year, has landed a position in Elorza's cabinet where he serves as press secretary. 

Rico Vota, who emerged as one of the rising stars of the 2014 political cycle after managing Nellie Gorbea's upset victory in the race for Secretary of State, now works in Pawtucket City Hall as a Communications and Constituents Affairs officer. 

Movement at State Parties

There has also been movement on the state party level, where high level staffers at both the Democrat and Republican Parties have moved on. Jonathan Boucher, who played a key role in the Democrats statewide sweep, now works as a lobbyist for the City of Providence under Elorza.

Robert Paquin, who was a familiar face advocating for GOP candidates last year, has moved on from his position at the state party and is a finalist for a position at a conservative think tank in Chicago, Illinois.

Profughi: No Ethical Questions 

Profughi said that that political operatives who take positions in government after the campaign doesn't raise any political questions.

"It's done in a completely above-board way," he said.

Profughi did note that he could understand why some folks would find it distasteful when operatives take positions with the politicians on the government-level they worked for on the campaign side.

"I can see how some would question whether it's appropriate considering how at one time you're being paid by a candidates campaign and then later you're being paid by the taxpayers when you're working or that same candidate, but in a government position."

 

Related Slideshow: The 10 Most Politically Powerful at RI State House

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#10 - Sen. Da Ponte

The Senate Finance Chairman pushed hard in 2014 for corporate tax reform -- and combined reporting -- and was recently reappointed to his fourth term at the helm of the committee that vets the state's budget. With House Speaker Mattiello's talking about eliminating the state income tax on social security, a budget deficit and the prospect of diminishing gaming revenue, Da Ponte will have his work cut out for him chairing the powerful Senate committee. 
 

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#9 - Rep. DeSimone

One of the most powerful political players in Providence, the Majority leader wields his influence at the state house as part of Speaker Mattiello's team. Serving in the chamber since 1992, DeSimone rose to his current position with the ouster of former Speaker Gordon Fox in 2014. He will be a pivotal player at the State House for the City of Providence (and new Elorza administration), as the state grapples with a projected $200 million budget deficit, and Providence needs a strong advocate to appeal for what it can.  
 

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#8 - Bob Goldberg

The former Minority Leader continues his position as one of the state's top lobbyists, representing a wide range of clients that last year included Lifespan, GTech, Johnson and Wales, and CVS Health, to name a few. Year in, year out, Goldberg -- who is married to RI Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg -- parlays his State House knowledge and connections for his well-funded clients, who in the past have included Twin River when it successfully pushed for table games on the ballot in 2012.

(Goldberg pictured at right.)

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#7 - Bill Murphy

The former Speaker of the House continues to wield unparalleled influence as a lobbyist and behind-the-scenes king maker.  While he last served as the state's most powerful elected official until 2010, Murphy's ability to exert control at the State House was evidenced by backing now-Speaker Mattiello when the battle to replace Gordon Fox took place.  Murphy's lobbying clients range from the corrections officers to payday lending to Twin River.

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#6 - Sen. Paiva Weed

The Senate President, who has been at the chamber's de facto top post since 2008, faced a strong challenge this past election season from Newport's Mike Smith, who had been an outspoken opponent against a table games expansion at Newport Grand -- a decision which Paiva-Weed ultimately came to following the rejection of a host agreement by the Newport City Council.  Paiva Weed in her opening address of this year's General Assembly session promised to make jobs and the economy her top priorities, followed closely by education.  With the school construction moratorium schedule to expire in May, watch to see how Paiva-Weed works with the House and Raimondo administration to address the burgeoning infrastructure needs.
 

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#5 - Sen. Ruggerio

The Senate Majority leader was first elected to the chamber in 1984, after four years in the House, and was Senate majority whip from 2003 to 2010. An administrator for the New England Laborers Labor Management Co-op Trust, Ruggerio's labor ties have helped cement his position of power in the Senate. Despite two arrests, Ruggerio has emerged relatively unscathed, advancing the legislation establishing the I-195 Redevelopment Commission, and pushing for increased parking in downtown Providence by the Garrahy judicial complex

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#4 - David Cruise

Governor Raimondo's newly chosen Legislative Director should prove to be much more than that.  While Raimondo tapped former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley staffer Stephen Neuman to be her Chief of Staff, the out-of-towner might bring in a fresh perspective, but Cruise knows the lay of the land. Having a Rhode Island political resume that includes serving as a State Senator, Governor Sundlun's Chief of Staff, and top roles at the RI Resource Recovery Corporation and as a traffic court magistrate, Cruise's policy role, while his official one, will be just one in his advisory capacity for the newly elected Governor.  
 

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#3 - Leo Skenyon

The Speaker of the Houses's Chief of Staff is the gatekeeper -- and like his predecessor before him, Frank Anzeveno (under former Speaker Gordon Fox), Skenyon is the key to access the Speaker. Skenyon, a former top aide to Governor Bruce Sundlun and U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, had most recently been the Traffic Tribunal Clerk.  The former Chief of Staff to Senate-Majority leader Jack Revens in the 1980s, Skenyon has been at the helm before in orchestrating the chamber's top office.  Skenyon enters his first full session at the post along with Mattiello as the agent behind the state's biggest power broker.  

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#2 - Gov. Raimondo

The state's 75th governor -- and first woman at the helm -- marks the first return of a Democratic head-of-state since Governor Bruce Sundlun entered the office in the winter of 1991.  Raimondo however won with just 40.7% of the vote, which gave her the plurality, but not a mandate.   Bringing in a number of outsiders for key positions, and shaking up multiple Department directors, the Raimondo administration looks markedly unlike any in recent years.  How successful Raimondo is in pushing through her agenda in the first six months will go a long way to determining how powerful she will be in the next four years. 

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#1 - Speaker Mattiello

The Speaker of the House has always wielded the most power in Rhode Island, and Speaker Mattiello is now the de facto head of state for the second -- and first full -- year.  Mattiello emerged from the 2014 session earning plaudits from a wide range of supporters for pushing through a cut in the corporate income tax and changes to the estate tax.  Now, as a new General Assembly has just gotten underway, Mattiello is eying eliminating the state income tax on social security, before the Governor has submitted her budget proposal.  Look to see what the Speaker can -- and will -- accomplish in 2015.  

 

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