American politician (born 1960)
Rodney Elliott (born 1960 in Lowell, Massachusetts) is the current State Representative for the 16th Middlesex District of Massachusetts, which is one of 160 legislative districts included in the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court. It covers part of Middlesex County.
Early life and education
Rodney was born to Francis and Theresa Elliott, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His father was born and raised in the Acre Section of the city, his mother attended St Louis Academy. Rodney's maternal grandparents were both orphans in Franco American orphanage, and both worked in the city's mills.
Elliott grew up in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell, Massachusetts. He attended Saint Jeanne d'Arc School during his elementary and middle school years. His family moved to Pelham, New Hampshire when Rodney was in eighth grade. He is the second oldest and only son of a working class family of six children one sister, Karen, passed away as an infant.[1]
As an undergraduate, he attended Plymouth State College, and was the first member of his family to graduate. He travelled abroad, as a college student, to the Soviet Union, during the height of the Cold War, and saw firsthand how a totalitarian government suppresses its people. Elliott graduated from Plymouth State in 1982, with a degree in Political Science, and moved back to his hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts.[1]
Political career
Early career
Elliott's first job out of college was as a legislative aide, to then State Senator Phillip Shea. He was primarily focused on constituent services for the Senator. Elliott went on to work for the city of Lowell, as its [lanner, while simultaneously pursuing his Master's Degree in Public Administration, at Suffolk University, Boston, and bartending at local theatres to pay for his education. He then became the administrative assistant for the town of Groton, Massachusetts.[2]
Elliott moved to Washington D.C. to pursue a second master's degree in Political Science, at Catholic University of America. While there, he began his 25 year career at the United States Environmental Protection Agency.[2]
He returned to Lowell in 1994 and married Laurie (Machado), and transferred to the EPA Boston office. He has two daughters Katelyn and Mikayla, both of whom are registered nurses.[1]
Lowell City Council
With a background and education in public administration and political science, Elliott ran for office in 1995 but lost his initial run. He ran again in 1997, and was successfully elected to the Lowell City Council. He spent 24 years as part of the council, serving as Chairman to several sub-committees, over his 21 year tenure on the City Council, including Flood, Youth, Public Safety and Audit Oversight. He was known as the "fiscal watchdog" of the town.[3]
Mayor of Lowell
Elliott was elected as Lowell's 34th Mayor on January 4, 2014 . "Elliott initiated several substantive changes" according to the Lowell Sun Newspaper, and was more than deserving of a second term.[4] His colleagues on the city council deemed him "a man of conviction", after his term.[5]
During the beginning of his first term as mayor, a notable fire occurred in the Cambodian community in Lowell. The fire killed seven and displaced over fifty people, including children and elderly.[6] Elliott spent significant time organizing donations, and corresponding with federal agencies to get the displaced individuals their important certifications again.[7]
Massachusetts State Representative
Elliott received 65.3% of the vote on November 8, 2022, defeating the Republican candidate Karla Miller for the State House position.[8] Since his election, Rodney has sponsored several bills related to mental health funding and affordable housing. He has signed on as a cosponsor for 288 bills in his first legislative session.[9]
References
