On January 28th, 2016, Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci, Junior passed away in Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. He quietly passed away that morning at the age of 74. For many who live outside Rhode Island, the name Buddy may mean little or nothing; however, for those who live in Rhode Island remember him by many titles, ranging from “the Prince of Providence,” to “corrupt machine politician,” from “hero” to “crook,” and from “kind gentlemen” to “bully.”
I ask, who is the real Buddy Cianci? How best to remember this "Colossus of Rhode Island?"
Regardless of how people have seen him, it is clear that this man has left an unyielding legacy behind him that all people of Rhode Island will remember him for, especially in his beloved city of Providence.
Born in Providence on April 30th, 1941, Cianci grew up and went to school in neighboring Cranston. He went on to graduate from Fairfield University with his bachelors and continued to earn his masters in political science and J.D. from Marquette. He would return to his home state to begin his legal career, which would eventually begin his political career as Mayor of Providence.
In 1974, Cianci became the first Republican mayoral candidate to win the office in over three decades, breaking the democratic dominance in the city and beginning his legendary rise. At 33, he was at the held of one of New England’s largest cities in a time of economic decline. Cianci, along with his team, made massive strides to revitalize the city’s economy and image that included large scale beautification initiatives; however, in 1984, Cianci pleaded no contest to an assault charge on his estranged wife’s lover. He was suspended for five years and was forced to resign.
What seemed like the end to Cianci’s political career only prompted one of the most fascinating and exhilarating comebacks in American political history. In 1991, he ran once again in a three way mayoral election and won in an astonishing comeback. From 1991 to 2001, he oversaw a renaissance in the city of Providence, utilizing investments from the state and federal government to build up downtown providence to make it more tourist-friendly. He also was committed to supporting the arts in Providence’s revitalized theatre district, which still continues to attract broadway productions and inspire a new generation of artists and actors to this day.
However, in 2001, Cianci once again was incited on corruption charges that turned the national spotlight on Cianci and the city of Providence. Returning back to his machine style of politics, he organized a network of supporters and administrators loyal to him and committed to his vision. This would turn on him and in 2002, he was sent to federal prison at Fort Dix in New Jersey for four years on racketeering charges. After his release, he returned to his radio and television show broadcasted locally from Providence.
In early 2014, Cianci announced his intention to run for Mayor of Providence once more. Some asked would it be possible to see another comeback. Prior to his 2014 run, he had never lost an election. But things didn’t turn out that way. He lost the 2014 election to current incumbent, Jorge Elorza, thus signifying the end to Cianci’s political career.
Cianci’s life has been chronicled and memorialized through news network coverage, newspapers, biographers and political cartoon artists. Documentaries recount his rise and his fall and his astounding comeback. His political career has left political scientists and campaign researchers baffled by his resurgence and his positive public approval despite criminal indictments.Through it all, he's managed to maintain his public image and even walk in the famed annual Bristol Fourth of July parade.
Cianci even published his own autobiography, titled, “Politics and Pasta: How I Prosecuted Mobsters, Rebuilt a Dying City, Advised a President, Dined with Sinatra, Spent Five Years in a Federally Funded Gated Community, and Lived to Tell the Tale.”
Not to mention his own line of pasta sauce:
But it is best to look at the city of Providence and the people that call providence home to understand the impact that Cianci had. Providence is clearly better because of Cianci’s attention and passion for the place he’s called his home. His enthusiasm and his drive led the city into it’s renaissance. I remember even covering his political legacy in my Introduction to Politics course my freshman year of college. He's proved to be dynamic and charismatic leaders for 21 years, the longest serving mayor in Providence history and his memory will not go quietly into the history books, much like how he refused to stop running for the position he loved so much.
May we remember this truly remarkable figure in American politics and all of his triumphs and failures.
Rest Easy
Buddy Cianci 1941-2016
