Peter Baptista, little-known lobbyist who brought professional football to RI

Meet Peter Baptista, a 39-year-old fan of the “Jerry Maguire” movie who proves that in Rhode Island politics, relationships and some well-timed campaign donations to the right people are much more meaningful than the type of degree you get. you have (he doesn’t have one) or your reputation as a former elected official (never held public office).

Baptista and his business partner Nicholas HemondDavid, a former chairman of the Providence School Board and a partner at the DarrowEverett law firm, currently has more than 30 clients at his lobbying firm, Capitol Communications Group, including Microsoft, Cox Communications and the Rhode Island Hospital Association.

But their $5,000 monthly contracts Accidental PartnersThe firm founded by Johnson that built the stadium, commercial and residential complex is where Baptista proved to be one of the most effective lobbyists in the state.

“He was a realist at a table surrounded by dreamers,” said former team spokesman Mike Raia, who was also communications director when Gina Raimondo was governor. “You need both to accomplish big things.”

State Sen. Jake Bissaillon, who was Senate President Dominick Ruggeiro’s chief of staff as the deal to build Tidewater Stadium in Pawtucket came together, said Baptista was a “faithful hand” throughout the process.

“When everyone was worried everything was going to fall apart, Peter was always there with an answer,” Bissaillon said.

So what makes an effective lobbyist?

Let’s start with some context.

The only reason Rhode Island FC is here is because state leaders failed to build a new stadium. Pawtucket Red SoxThe beloved Triple-A baseball team has moved to a shiny new ballpark. worcester For the 2021 season.

As state and city leaders explored options to reuse McCoy Stadium, the longtime home of the PawSox, Johnson came forward with his vision for a USL franchise. But the team needed to get the word out about a new stadium, so they started working to come up with a plan.

Johnson hired Baptista after the offer was tabled, but his team needed help finding mines that might emerge in the Rhode Island Island government. Baptista, whose father Ernest was a permanent ally of the state’s top Democrats, was himself beginning to gain a reputation as a smooth operator in politics.

He assisted the staff of both former presidents Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton during their visits to Rhode Island, as well as President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden when Joe was vice president. He has formed a close friendship with former governor Gina Raimondo and has long had solid relationships with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

In other words, he had the ability to open doors for Johnson’s team at Fortuitous.

“No matter what you accomplish, the intricacies and speed of government are new to many people,” Baptista told me this week. He was reluctant to talk to me because the unwritten rule of the State House is that you never dunk the football when you achieve success.

When I asked him what makes a good lobbyist, Baptista said: “Building relationships, being honest with people, and putting your cards on the table.”

Undoubtedly the ability to raise money also helps. Campaign finance records show Baptista has donated more than $35,000 to Rhode Island politicians since 2020. What these reports don’t show you is that he probably helped raise a lot more money for some of these politicians by hosting fundraisers and pooling contributions from friends.

But observers say Baptista’s skills run much deeper.

“Peter is such a people person,” said Dylan Zelazo, Grebien’s former chief of staff who now runs the Rhode Island Health and Education Building Company. “He is calm. “He has a strong head and knows how to manage multi-faceted relationships.”

These skills were put to the test throughout the process Securing public money to help build the stadium, especially when Raimondo left Rhode Island to become U.S. secretary of commerce and Dan McKee was promoted to governor.

One observer told me that Baptista was one of the few people in Rhode Island politics who managed to maintain strong relationships with Raimondo, McKee, House and Senate leaders, Grebien in Pawtucket, and labor leaders who played a key role in building the stadium.

But even earlier this year, there were still plenty of doubts about the team. As my colleague Brian Amaral wrote in February, the $130 million price tag means Rhode Island FC will play. one of the country’s most expensive second division football stadiums Next season (they played their home matches at: Bryant University this year). And taxpayers are covering more than a third of the upfront costs of construction.

“It’s always been ‘never say die,'” Baptista said.

The stadium continues to move forward, but the next question is how Fortuitous will put it together. commercial and residential This aspect of the project will likely require more taxpayer support. Baptista, who is considered the team’s co-founder, declined to comment on the next phase but remains as the company’s lobbyist.

For now, all focus is on Saturday’s USL final in Colorado Springs. Baptista will also attend. The game will be broadcast live on CBS at noon Eastern time.

“If they win, he definitely deserves the ring,” Bissaillon said.

Dan McGowan can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @danmcgowan.