PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- “Decisions have consequences,” Peter Tedeschi, former president and CEO of Tedeschi Food Shops, wrote in a CSP Daily News column in October 2016 ahead of the last presidential election.
Exactly a year later, Tedeschi is running for U.S. Congress, and his campaign will officially begin on Oct. 26 at an event at Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Mass.
Long interested in politics, Tedeschi has been exploring a run for many months, sources say. He has met with the state Republican party and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
What’s motivating Tedeschi to throw his hat into the ring? His CSP column reveals an answer.
“After serving as NACSPAC (NACS Political Action Committee) and the NACS Legislative Committee chairman for several years, I have witnessed the importance of industry advocacy and the consequences of decisions made by fellow voters and elected officials,” he wrote.
“One of life’s lessons that still resonates with me to this day is a simple reality that my parents relentlessly drove home: Decisions have consequences. It applies so often to situations that we face as parents, business owners, American citizens and voters,” said Tedeschi. “Political decisions are driven by our core beliefs, fears and needs, among other things. In many ways, politics mirror monetary markets. Both crave stability, hate uncertainty and tend to overcorrect.”
And in 2013, speaking at the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago, Tedeschi said, “I am a believer, but I’m also a realist,” he said, noting that there are some realities that will adjust how retailers approach their businesses and their customers. He advised attendees to keep an eye on things that they can't control but act decisively on the things they can influence and change.
He stressed the importance of grassroots efforts to educate members of Congress about our industry and participating in NACS events such as Day on Capitol Hill. “There’s never been a time when your voices need to be heard more than they do today,” he said at the time. “You can move the needle.”
He now will attempt to move that needle in a new way—from inside the federal government.
Tedeschi left a career in financial services with Wellington Management and Putnam Investments to lead the Rockland, Mass.-based family business in 2008. Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc.acquired the 182-store chain in 2015.
In 2017, Tedeschi joined the board of Lil’ Drug Store Products Inc. In 2015, he joined Milwaukee-based Midwest Retail Group LLC, a 7-Eleven franchise group, as chief strategic officer. Previously, he also served as vice chairman and treasurer for NACS, Alexandria, Va.
According to NACS, Tedeschi is a frequent speaker at c-store industry and other events and serves as a professional mentor and business sponsor for organizations such as STEP Education, a charitable organization that helps develop motivated inner-city youths into business leaders.
Tedeschi was born and raised on the South Shore of Massachusetts, where he lives today with his wife, Katherine. He attended Thayer Academy and graduated as senior class president from Stonehill College with a degree in political science. He is a boating and motorcycle enthusiast, and enjoys playing golf and traveling with his family.
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