Top 15 Most Influential Political Operatives for 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
With municipalities teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, another heated legislative session already underway and the election cycle only beginning to take form, who will be the real decision makers in Rhode Island this year?
From lobbyists to chiefs of staff to campaign managers (and in some cases, a combination of the three), GoLocalProv breaks down the 15 most influential political operatives in the Ocean State for 2012.
George Zainyeh
It has only been a few months, but Governor Chafee has already received a boost from his decision to appoint Zainyeh as Chief of Staff. While he sat on the sidelines as General Treasurer Gina Raimondo took all the credit for pension reform last year, Chafee has picked up a solid group of supporters in the municipal leaders and Zainyeh is also helping to mend fences with the legislature.
George Caruolo
Casino gambling may be one of the most important issues over the next decade as Rhode Island pays close to attention to what happens in Massachusetts. The former House Majority Leader and current chairman of the Board of Regents is also a top lobbyist for Twin River, which hopes voters will support a table gaming referendum in November. Expect Caruolo to have his hands in all things gaming moving forward.
Frank Anzeveno
Nothing gets done in the House without a nod from Speaker Fox’s Chief of Staff, who has to play a prominent role in deciding which legislation even makes it to the Speaker’s desk and also which legislators need to be punished for not kissing the ring of leadership. He’s been successful so far. Anzeveno has helped Fox avoid much conflict with his chamber, even when he had a lot of unhappy members during controversial debates over pension reform and same-sex marriage last year.
Tom Coderre
“He’s the most powerful man in the Senate,” one political observer says of Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed’s Chief of Staff. The well-liked Coderre has a lot on his plate with the more conservative chamber of the General Assembly. Like Anzeveno in the House, he has to make sure he keeps Senate members in line while also advising the Senate President on the biggest issue of the session: municipal relief.
Michael D’Amico
The only municipal leader on the list, Mayor Angel Taveras’ Director of Administration/Chief of Staff has a reputation for being the numbers guy in the city of Providence, but he is quickly beginning to learn the game of politics as well. D’Amico has played a role in virtually every negotiation with the unions and tax-exempts and has the full trust of the Mayor. His advice will likely be the deciding factor when it comes to the city’s next steps in addressing its fiscal crisis.
Patrick Sweeney
It isn’t easy being a Republican in Rhode Island, but if the Party wants to make any inroads in the General Assembly, Pat Sweeney will need to be on his game. The GOP executive director’s success will largely be judged on how many General Assembly seats the Party can pick up in November. The lofty goal is to more than double the GOP presence on Smith Hill in 2013, but Sweeney is savvy and understands that if his candidates can steer clear of social issues, they can win.
Frank McMahon
Arguably the state’s most well-known lobbyist, McMahon has his hands all over a variety of issues on Smith Hill ranging from health care to education. This year’s top clients include the likes of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Charter Care, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Providence College, RI-CAN and TIAA-CREF.
Carolyn Murray
Another prominent lobbyist, Murray’s success this year will be judged on whether she can have the Governor’s proposal to raise the meal and beverage tax killed. She was successful last year in helping to put the kibosh on the sales tax and many are saying this year’s proposal has no chance either.
George Nee
He’s “our defacto Governor” according to one Smith Hill insider, who says Nee has been appointed to more committees than anyone in Rhode Island. Nee lost a battle with Treasurer Raimondo last fall during pension reform, but he is still included in every major decision taking place in the state.
Patrick Crowley
The National Education Association isn’t the most popular union in the state, but it’s certainly one of the most powerful and Crowley has the unique role of not only being a presence on Smith Hill, but also in helping the candidates who support labor and punishing those who do not. The NEA will certainly be looking to recover from last fall’s pension reform battle and the elections will likely determine how much influence labor still has.
Joe Walsh
The former Warwick Mayor and gubernatorial candidate is among the most well-liked people in politics. He’s also one of the most powerful lobbyists on Smith Hill, where he represents Fidelity, the Motion Picture Association of America, the Rhode Island Builders Association and the Rhode Island Health Care Association.
Brian Newberry
The only legislator on the list, the House Minority Leader has the unenviable task of keeping the conservative agenda on the table in a chamber dominated by Democrats. Newberry was successful in his first year in leadership in 2011; but now he’s part of the redistricting lawsuit, which could be damaging to his relationship with Speaker Fox.
Kate Brock
The face of the progressive left in Rhode Island, Brock’s success will be judged on how she fares during election season. Expect the Ocean State Action executive director to use her organizing prowess to help elect more progressives in 2012.
Ray Sullivan
Same-sex marriage isn’t likely to pass this year, but the head of Marriage Equality RI (MERI) and former State Rep. will help build the foundation in 2012. MERI will be aggressive in targeting legislators and if the group is successful, 2013 may be the year for same-sex marriage in the Ocean State.
Lisa Blais & Susan Wynne
Does the Tea Party have any juice in Rhode Island? Blais and Wynne, who head up the state’s two major Tea Party groups, will answer that question this year. The Tea Party had some success in 2011, but are they organized enough to help get conservatives elected this year? Only time will tell.
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