Jason Knight is considering running for Rhode Island Attorney General. 

Knight, a Barrington resident, is in his fourth term as Representative for District 67, which includes sections of Barrington and Warren. 

“I’m certainly thinking about it,” Rep. Knight said during an interview last week. 

Rep. Knight said he has long had an interest in serving the public. It began years ago when he was in the U.S. Navy and continued when he became a lawyer. He said he enjoys his role as a legislator in the Rhode Island General Assembly, a post he has held since 2016.

Rep. Knight said he wants to continue that work, but possibly on a larger scale. 

A few months back Rep. Knight began considering the idea of running for RI Attorney General, as current AG Peter Neronha is in his second term and there is a two-term limit for the position. 

Rep. Knight said he is quite familiar with the work of the Attorney General’s office — his first stop out of law school was in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office where he worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General under former AG Patrick Lynch. He worked in that office from 2006 to 2010. 

Rep. Knight said he enjoyed working in the AG’s office. 

“I loved that job,” he said. “I got up every day and tried to do right for the people of Rhode Island.”

He prosecuted cases for the AG’s office, but eventually switched to criminal defense. Rep. Knight said better pay was part of his decision to switch, but the move also allowed him to run for the Rhode Island General Assembly. 

“If I had stayed at the AG’s office wouldn’t have been able to do the work I’ve done in the General Assembly,” Rep. Knight said. 

The local legislator shared plenty of praise for current AG Neronha — both in the criminal prosecution part of the work as well as with civil litigation. 

“He’s doing a good job,” Rep. Knight said, adding that consistency and strong leadership are crucial aspects to the AG’s work. Rep. Knight said he is well-positioned to fill the role. 

Now the local legislator and longtime Barrington resident is exploring what a run for Attorney General will require. He mentioned the need for fund-raising and introducing himself to people from all across Rhode Island. Rep. Knight said he has developed a strong network throughout the East Bay, but will need to win voters from across the state if he wants to fill the post. 

Rep. Knight said he enjoys his work as a legislator.

“Sometimes you have little wins, and sometimes you have big wins,” Rep. Knight said. “But nothing is all wine and roses.”

Rep. Knight said one of the most rewarding parts of his job is helping local constituents with issues they face.

“Some days, and these are the best days, are when you can cut out the red tape for a constituent,” he said. 

Rep. Knight mentioned a recent example, where a local woman was struggling to communicate with a state agency about a tree on the edge of her property. Rep. Knight said he was able to facilitate a connection between the resident and the state agency that led to a resolution. 

Rep. Knight said the woman sent him a very nice note and even sought him out at a recent event to say thanks. 

“It was very nice,” he said. 

Rep. Knight said filling the role of Attorney General would allow him to continue that type of work for Rhode Island residents, but on a much larger scale.