Craven to Step Down as Judiciary Committee Chair - Will Not Seek Re-election

Craven to Step Down as Judiciary Committee Chair - Will Not Seek Re-election

Robert Craven, the Rhode Island State Representative and chairman of the Judiciary Committee who announced last week that he was running for Rhode Island Attorney General and then reversed course and bowed out of the race all within four days, is now stepping down from his chairmanship.

He also announced he will not seek re-election. 

Craven had previously pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of domestic assault against his then-wife, and was given a one-year filing. That incident had taken place in 2001.

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On Monday, Craven issued the following statement:

"In the best interests of my family, I have resigned as chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Through my seven years as chair, I was privileged to shepherd issues like women’s reproductive health, gun safety, and the environment that matter deeply to Rhode Islanders. While I will continue to serve the people of North Kingstown through the end of my term, I will not seek re-election. 

Many people have reached out to me over the past few days. Some I know from my work as a representative, others are colleagues in the law, friends, and some are strangers who are on their own journey of hope and redemption. I am grateful for their support and understanding as I continue on my own personal journey."

 

As GoLocal reported in 2014:

State Representative Robert Craven had two domestic assault charges expunged stemming from arrests in 2001 and 2002, according to an investigation by GoLocalProv.  

In 2001, Craven, a former Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General, was charged with domestic assault, which was later dismissed.  Again, in 2002 Craven was charged with domestic assault and vandalism.  These charges were later dismissed, and a no contact order was issued. Craven was released on personal recognizance, according to court records. 

"The cases were dismissed in 2002 I believe and went through the Court and both the prosecutor and accuser agreed to dismiss them," said Craven in an email response to GoLocal, who served as Assistant Attorney General from 1983 to 1992. "It was not a marital problem and was not my wife. Someone brought the records to my attention about three or four years ago. I had to file a Motion to Expunge and the expungement took place before I contemplated running for public office."