Fox, Neuman Out at Raimondo’s Office; Cruise, Raia Take Over Positions
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo's Communications Director Joy Fox and Chief of Staff Stephen Neuman are out, GoLocal has learned.
Current Legislative Director David Cruise will assume interim Chief of Staff duties, and Mike Raia, who is currently the communications director for the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health & Human Services, will take over Fox's role.
The shake-up comes as the Raimondo Administration just finished its second budget season of its four year term.
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Cruise was a magistrate at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal before joining the Raimondo administration. GoLocal put Cruise at the #4 most powerful spot at the State House in 2015:
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.
Prior to joining the Raimondo Administration, Raia led Boston public broadcaster WGBH's local media relations, communications and marketing efforts. He had previously served as Director of Communications in the Mayor's office for the City of Providence, and held several senior-level communications positions in Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s administration.
Former Chief of Staff Neuman was another O'Malley alum, where he was Director of Public Affairs and served as the chief liaison to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic and other agencies. Previously, Neuman worked for North Carolina Governor Beverly Purdue and was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
Neuman had come under fire when GoLocal reported that he had been involved in crafting DraftKings legislation while is wife was interviewing with -- and ultimately landing at -- the online sports-bettng site.
Fox had worked with Raimondo since she was elected State Treasurer in 2010, and had previously worked for Congressman Jim Langevin and for the RI Department of Corrections.
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