INTRODUCING STATE Reps. Simon Cataldo, D-Concord, and Rodney Elliott, D-Lowell.  Cataldo, representing the 14th Middlesex District, and Elliott, of the 16th Middlesex, are two of the 22 freshman legislators serving in the Massachusetts House, and it’s an honor neither of them take lightly. The new representatives were sworn in by former Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday.

Elliott, who grew up in Pawtucketville, is well known in Greater Lowell for his decades spent in the Lowell City Council and his stint as mayor. He also serves as a commissioner of the Lowell Housing Authority.

Time spent and experience gained at the local level warmed him up for this next big step.

“I’ve had 24 years to prepare for this,” Elliott said. “I do believe that it’s an advantage serving in local government because you do get an understanding and experience to know what the local issues are, and I will say, we do it best on the local level. We know how to address issues, we know what the issues are, we know where the funding needs are. And that was clearly preparation for me.”

It’s quite the jump, from Lowell to the State House, but interestingly, Elliott once worked as a legislative aide there. But what helped ease his and other elected leaders’ transition was a three-day orientation at UMass Amherst, where they became acquainted with protocol and procedures and met members of the various committees.

For Cataldo, state Rep. Jim Arciero, D-Westford, has especially been helpful in his transition to office, he said.

“There are other colleagues there as well who have been really helpful at this point already,” Cataldo said. “It has been a very collegial atmosphere.”

After growing up in Concord, Cataldo worked as a special education teacher and became a nonprofit founder, federal prosecutor and passionate environmentalist. He also re-added Concord resident to his long list of titles, having moved back to the district in 2020.

From his swearing-in ceremony to observing Gov. Maura Healey’s own swearing-in, Cataldo said he’s been excited to witness and “participate in the legislative process.” He called the experience “humbling and profound.”

“I’m just so honored to be in this position,” Cataldo said, “and I’m so grateful to the residents of the district for trusting me to serve them in this position.”

Cataldo and Elliott campaigned together, and the day before the election received support from U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan in Chelmsford.

The two Democrats, who both represent parts of Chelmsford, are even working in the same room together.

All of the first-term representatives are placed in “the bullpen” in the basement of the State House, Cataldo said. It’s a “bustling” environment of hard-working newbies who are already collaborating on legislation. Which is important, considering their filing deadline for the current session is Jan. 20.

Being surrounded by new members is helpful because “you learn from each other, both senior members, veteran members of the Legislature,” Elliott said. Their diverse backgrounds, work history and origins are important, he said, as they share their stories and passions.

Mental health is a big priority, Elliott said, and the rolling out of the 24/7 hotline, for people to access mental health services, will be a major asset. Elliott said he’s also concerned about acquiring funding for other issues of importance, including substance abuse, infrastructure and affordable housing.

“I think we have to look at tax cuts for those that need it most,” Elliott said. “And, again, while Massachusetts is a great place to live, people are leaving because it’s not affordable, and that’s not what we want in the city of Lowell.”

The next few weeks, he added, will be “very, very busy.”

Cataldo is already narrowing in on the issues he outlined during his campaign: education, mental health, transportation, veteran’s benefits, energy, water quality and more. As a litigator, Cataldo brings that legal background to the forefront, combing through potential bills and “crafting some (himself) from scratch.”

“It’s a really dynamic process because, in addition to trying to come up with legislation that you think will be helpful for the people of our district and the rest of the commonwealth, you also have to research what’s already been done or attempted to be done,” Cataldo said. “And so, all of that needs to be considered during the process. So it’s fun, and it’s interesting, and it’s challenging.”

Though Cataldo and Elliott are already putting their nose to the grindstone, others are still waiting for their Beacon Hill debut.

Their soon-to-be(?) colleague Margaret Scarsdale is waiting to be sworn in amid an ongoing recount in the 1st Middlesex District in her race against Republican Andrew Shepherd, in which she won by just seven votes.

Elliott’s met with city and town managers in the 16th Middlesex already and encourages his constituents to get in touch with him, as he’s “always just a phone call away.”

“I’m very eager, I’m optimistic, I’m enthusiastic and energized to start this new job,” Elliott said. “I feel that I can bring a lot to the table for my district and certainly the city of Lowell.”

Cataldo, too, wants residents of his district to connect with him and his office “to be heard on issues.”

“Folks should liberally reach out, and I’m really glad to say that a number of constituents already have,” he said. “And that’s a part of the job that I’m eager to do well.”

The story of Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is yet to be written.

But if the energetic crowd at the TD Garden on Thursday night is any indication, there’s a lot of people excited for the stories to be told and the work that lies ahead. Under a sports theme, a nod to Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll’s days on the basketball court, was history.

For the first time in state history, women occupy the governor and lieutenant governor positions. Additionally, Healey is now the first woman elected governor and first lesbian woman to hold the office in Massachusetts — the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.

Healey’s election is also a step forward for LGBTQ representation in state houses across the country, following the election of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a bisexual woman elected in 2016, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a gay man, elected in 2019. A second lesbian woman, Gov. Tina Kotek of Oregon, was also elected in 2022.

The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus performs at the TD Garden in Boston on Thursday as part of the inauguration celebration for Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Sitting in the front row of the TD Garden, Judy Maruca of Charlton said she thought Healey did a tremendous job as attorney general and was excited to be a part of the historic event. She added that she enjoyed seeing the peaceful transition of power with now-former Gov. Charlie Baker.

“I think she’s a strong negotiator and a passionate advocate for housing,” Maruca said of Healey.

The history of Healey’s inauguration was not lost on Maruca. The energy inside the TD Garden in Boston at the Jan. 5 inauguration ball for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was absolutely electric as thousands gathered to celebrate history in the making. The festive basketball themed fete featured speeches from the dynamic female duo, musical acts and performances from the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Grammy award winning artist Brandi Carlile, who brought her wife up on stage for a duet, and many more. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

“It bothers me that [gender] is even still an issue that that should be a factor in how somebody performs a job. There’s reason to celebrate and there’s reason for us to continue to ask why it’s still relevant,” Maruca said.

Supporter Sue Smith-Scott of Charlton said she liked that Healey wasn’t afraid to stand up to the administration of former President Donald Trump.

“The first time I heard her speak was at the [Boston] Women’s March, right after Trump was elected,” Scott-Smith said. “And she gave me hope.”

Speaking from centerstage, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said, “For all the little girls out there, we may be the first all-female team leading the state, but we will not be the last.”

The energy inside the TD Garden in Boston at the Jan. 5 inauguration ball for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was absolutely electric as thousands gathered to celebrate history in the making. The festive basketball themed fete featured speeches from the dynamic female duo, musical acts and performances from the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Grammy award winning artist Brandi Carlile, who brought her wife up on stage for a duet, and many more. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

As Driscoll’s “teammate” Healey took the stage, she pledged both she and Driscoll were committed to having Massachusetts be “truly a commonwealth.”

“We know like any great team, and I will always be a point guard, it’s about the assist,” Healey said to cheers. “That’s the statistic that matters — the assist — and I know I can count on you people, all across the great state of Massachusetts to do just that.” On the floor of the event, a number of local dignitaries shared reflections of the historic affair.

State Rep. Michael Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg, said the moment was about the “peaceful and democratic transfer of power from one administration to another.” State Rep. Michael Kushmerek and (left) and Fitchburg State University Special Assistant to the President for Community, Governmental Affairs and Special Projects A. J. Tourigny joined in the festivities at the TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 5 for the inauguration ball for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

“Everybody’s working together seamlessly to make sure that from governor to governor, from Legislature Legislature, that everybody is set up for success to ensure that businesses and residents are going to prosper,” Kushmerek added.

Leominster School Committee member and Executive Director of Ginny’s Helping Hand Brandon Robbins expressed optimism about the state’s future under Healey and Driscoll’s leadership.

“As a School Committee member, education is a top priority for me,” Robbins said. “The administration’s track record for support of public education is strong, and the commitment to funding mechanisms such as the Student Opportunity Act was clear in the governor’s inaugural remarks.”

Robbins added, “Their victory and administration provides an opportunity for everyone of us to see themselves in our leaders. I am excited as they ‘move the ball forward’ and bring our commonwealth forward.”

Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau said, “There is a new paradigm of openness and inclusion in Massachusetts. Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll are true leaders making history, putting our commonwealth on a new and successful path. Tonight demonstrates the America we love.”

Like Kushmerek, Lowell’s newest Democratic state Rep. Rodney Elliott was in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony and the nighttime celebration. Elliott said both events marked a significant moment in the state’s history.

“At both events you could feel enthusiasm, energy and electricity in the air. We face a lot of challenges but I feel the governor and Legislature are ready and prepared to tackle issues of mental health, affordable housing, infrastructure, and I am very enthusiastic to be part of the House to play a role,” Elliott said after the ceremony.

For state Rep. Natalie Higgins, D-Leominster, it is an incredible moment to have two women leading the commonwealth with the first LGBTQ governor in the state.

“While Massachusetts continues to bring equity to the forefront of our legislation, we don’t always see that equity play out in our reality. While over 20,000 men have been elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, only 232 women have been elected in that same time,” Higgins said. “Further, while Massachusetts has long been a leader on LGBTQ+ rights, we continue to face increased discrimination of our LGBTQ+ neighbors and legislation targeting LGTBQ+ people in schools, libraries, healthcare and more. This week fills me with so much hope as a queer woman in this Commonwealth, and I know it will pave the way for many more firsts.”

Although Democrat Margaret Scarsdale, the 1st Middlesex District state representative-elect, was unable to be seated this week with the rest of her colleagues, she too paused to reflect on the historic moment. She was in attendance as Healey took the oath at the State House.

“What more powerful and meaningful way to once again demonstrate that Massachusetts is a leader than by our inauguration of Maura Healey, our first woman governor and first openly gay governor,” Scarsdale said Friday. “These are not just symbolic firsts: They are a forceful reaffirmation that we understand the importance and power of diversity, of welcoming all voices to the table. Diversity empowers everyone, and is the path towards a better future for all our residents. Gov. Healey is a dedicated and proven leader, and I look forward to working with her administration.”

Headlining the evening’s festivities was six-time Grammy Award winner and Americana extraordinaire Brandi Carlile. Healey said that if she was allowed to have one performer at inauguration, Carlile was her choice.

“I really admire how much she’s put herself out there,” Healey said. “I admire her voice — not just her singing voice of course — but also the voice she gives to so many, so many women, young LGBTQ people. So many people, from whatever walk of life, may have felt vulnerable, may have felt marginalized, may have been made to feel less than.”

In between songs during her set, Carlile said Massachusetts had chosen a “hellraiser” in Healey and shared her own story as a lesbian woman. When she wanted to marry her wife, Catherine Shepherd, she said they did so in Massachusetts, a place they could feel “legitimized.” Throughout the performance, people from the audience could be heard encouraging to Carlile to move to the state permanently.

Democratic candidate for state representative in the 16th Middlesex District Rodney Elliott stands outside the McAvinnue School in Lowell Tuesday with his wife, Laurie Elliott, right, and their daughter, Mikayla Lewis of Boston, with her Berna-doodle Rufus. (Julia Malakie/Lowell Sun)

By MELANIE GILBERT | mgilbert@lowellsun.com |PUBLISHED: November 9, 2022 at 10:22 a.m. | UPDATED: November 9, 2022 at 4:23 p.m.

LOWELL — Democrat and Lowell native son Rodney Elliott won the 16th Middlesex District seat against his Republican opponent Karla Miller in Tuesday’s general election.

Elliott trounced Miller in Chelmsford, where he won 3,058 votes to Miller’s 1,864. His electoral juggernaut extended into the candidates’ home base of Pawtucketville and neighboring Centralville.

The unofficial results released by Lowell Elections Director Greg Pappas early Wednesday morning showed Elliott with 4,114, or almost 68% of the vote, to Miller’s 1,946, or 32% of the vote.

Overall, Elliott’s racked up two-thirds of the vote, with 7,172 votes to Miller’s 3,810.

The local vote reflected the percentages in statewide up- and -down-ballot races of governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer contests, as well as the 3rd Congressional District race, in which incumbent Lori Trahan easily held off Republican challenger Dean Tran.

The newest member of the Massachusetts House said he’s grateful for the strong voter support, which he believes will help him continue the long tradition of delivering services to the constituents of the 16th Middlesex District.

“I’m very happy with the results,” Elliott said. “We worked hard all spring, summer and fall — we knocked on doors for seven months. I think it was important to listen to people, and I’m very humbled and grateful to the voters for their support.”

Elliott, who served 24 years as a Lowell city councilor and two terms as mayor, ascends to the State House with an overwhelmingly Democratic state delegation and leadership.

Along with the 159 other representatives and 40 state senators, the Legislature will have a full plate of pressing issues to address including helping families with high heating costs, inflation and affordable housing concerns.

He will represent a diverse district of nearly 43,000 residents across an area one-fourth as large as Disney World.

“My No. 1 priority will be the economy,” Elliott said during the candidate debate at WCAP a week before the election. “We need real help right now with heating fuel. Secondly, is tax relief. We need to increase the rental deductions for our renters. We need to increase the earned income tax credit for our low- and middle-income families The we need to address the housing affordability crisis and mental health.”

On the ballot measures, Elliott tracks with his newly elected Democratic delegation: He is in favor of the so-called “millionaire tax,” which, if passes, would amend the Massachusetts Constitution to impose an additional 4% tax on income over $1 million, with proceeds going toward education, roads and bridges, and public transportation.

He supported regulating dental insurance, which passed by a huge margin, and he also was in favor of the measure that passed to uphold the state law allowing driver’s licenses for those not living legally in the U.S.

“Experience counts in this district,” Elliott said. “I’m ready to hit the ground running.”

Sovanna Oung and Sok Paul Pen, both of Pawtucketville, held campaign signs for Elliott at the entrance to the parking lot of Pawtucketville Memorial School. A steady stream of cars rolled past them with voters rushing to cast their ballots well into Tuesday evening.

They’d been standing outside in the cold since 4 p.m., and were staying until the polls closed at 8 p.m.

“We know Rodney,” said Pen, who is friends with Oung, a first-time sign holder. “And we believe he’s the right person for the job.”

Miller did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

READ MY OP-ED IN THE LOWELL SUN NEWSPAPER

By RODNEY ELLIOTT |

PUBLISHED: November 3, 2022 at 2:55 a.m. | UPDATED: November 3, 2022 at 7:39 a.m.

Our country hasn’t experienced inflation rise this high and fast in over 40 years. The impact of these record increases is being felt particularly hard by our seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and families. It’s time we support people and prioritize spending in ways that will make Massachusetts affordable and competitive.

As a City Councilor and Mayor, my priorities as a fiscal watchdog were to ensure we kept taxes affordable, reduced wasteful spending, and maintained the City’s financial stability. I feel we accomplished those goals, and I was a part of that success.

As your State Representative for Pawtucketville, Centralville, North Chelmsford and the Westlands, I will continue to use my experience to watch your tax dollars and priority one would be to cut taxes and spending while our residents are being crushed by inflation and escalating costs. There are ways to direct savings to working families through the tax code and targeted relief. I intend to do just that.

First and foremost, it is time to put the $3 billion surplus back into the pockets of the taxpayers. This will provide some much-needed relief from rising utility costs, gas at the pump, groceries, and basic items we all need to live. Voters approved that ballot question at the polls some 40 years ago. We can’t conveniently ignore it now because it finally worked in the favor of the taxpayer.

State reserves are at historic levels. I support Gov. Charlie Baker’s $700 million comprehensive tax relief proposal which would provide substantial tax relief for hundreds of thousands of our residents and benefit seniors and low-income and working families who need help now.

In addition, the pending economic development bill left on the table last legislative session provides direct financial assistance to many communities and benefits Lowell and Chelmsford specifically with monies for important community projects like Lowell High School and Vinal Square.

Who we elect to the House of Representatives will have a major impact on our lives. Under the leadership of State Representative Tom Golden, he was able to secure important State funding for Lowell and North Chelmsford. As your State Representative, on day one, I go to work for you, hardworking residents of the District, just as I did as your City Councilor and Mayor.

My experience and knowledge of budgeting will bring practical solutions to State government. I will provide accessible and immediate constituent services right in your neighborhood. Making Massachusetts affordable for all members of our community is essential. The residents of the 16th Middlesex District deserves someone who will fight for them, and my record proves I will.

Rodney Elliott is a Lowell resident and Democratic candidate for the 16th Middlesex House District

By MELANIE GILBERT | mgilbert@lowellsun.com |

PUBLISHED: November 2, 2022 at 7:35 p.m. | UPDATED: November 3, 2022 at 6:56 a.m.

LOWELL — With less than a week before Election Day, the candidates for the 16th Middlesex District seat delivered their homestretch message to voters during a radio debate held Nov. 1.

Both Republican Karla Miller and Democrat Rodney Elliott believe they are the best person to lead the district in the race to replace former state Rep. Tom Golden, who stepped down in April to accept the role as Lowell’s city manager.

They pitched listeners on their competing policy positions on inflation, infrastructure, energy independence, reproductive rights and mental health resources.

Miller, who was raised in Chelmsford and has lived in Lowell for more than 20 years, said her newcomer status was a benefit to voters.

“I’m a taxpayer like you who is fed up with the status quo,” she said in her opening statement. “Rather than sit by and watch the state be destroyed from within, I decided to be proactive and be part of the solution.”

In contrast, Elliott, who born in the area of Lowell formerly known as Little Canada and now lives in Pawtucketville, said that his 26 years of service in city and state government would yield immediate results for constituents.

“Experience counts in this district,” he said. “We need a state representative who is going to go to work on Day One to get results. That’s the state representative you’re going to have if you elect me.”

Elliot has been a Lowell city councilor and mayor, and currently serves as a commissioner on the Lowell Housing Authority board. Miller is a Realtor with Keller Williams.

The hourlong debate was held at the Market Street studio of WCAP. Former City Councilor Marty Lorrey asked questions of the candidates, with News Director and Morning News Anchor Gary Francis moderating.

Both candidates agreed that the Rourke Bridge replacement project is a priority. They also both supported increased resources for mental health, homelessness and substance use issues, but were divided on approaches to addressing those areas.

Miller advocated taking impacted populations out of the cities, and building facilities and farms in rural areas, which would be underwritten by private investment.

“I believe that we should be building facilities,” Miller said. “And they should be in rural areas — perhaps on farmland — where the people can work the farms, and feel like they’re doing something and creating things.”

Elliott said he was in favor of supportive services that met people where they were, such as the proposed crisis-diversion facility of the Middlesex County Restoration Center. He said he would secure funding from sports betting revenues.

“In order to appropriately fund these important services, you need a revenue stream,” Elliott said. “I think that a percentage of sports betting revenue should be funneled to support mental health and substance abuse programs.”

As comparison, he cited the approach Lowell took in diverting revenue from citywide cannabis operations.

Last fiscal year, the city hauled in about $1.4 million in revenue from legal pot. The city has collected a combined amount of $3.3 million in revenue from the recreational marijuana business since 2016.

There was a canyon-wide gap in the candidates’ position on reproductive rights, with Miller arguing that women are using abortion as a means of contraception. She advocated instead for increased reproductive education.

“I believe in the need to protect life whenever possible,” Miller stated. “It (abortion) seems to be used as a contraceptive because it is out of hand with how many abortions are being performed. I think we need more education with young girls and women with contraception.”

Elliott called the issue of abortion a personal decision that belongs with a woman and her doctor, and he took offense with Miller’s characterization of the reason why women have abortions.

“Quite frankly, the comment made by my opponent that women were using abortion as contraception is to me  baseless and harmful,“ Elliott said. “I don’t feel anyone, certainly not a man, should be making that decision. It’s a woman’s fundamental right to have autonomy over her body. It’s a health care decision between a woman and her doctor.”

The candidates agreed that inflation and rising energy costs posed real challenges to the financial security of many constituents.

Elliott said Lowell had the foresight in 2012 to create the municipal electricity aggregation program, but that reducing the country’s fossil fuel dependency was vital. He advocated for tax credits and climate-based investments such as wind power.

“Offshore wind is an important part of providing a balanced energy plan,” Elliott said. “I don’t think the commonwealth should solely be relying on fossil fuels. We need to diversify the portfolio.”

Miller blamed Democrats for creating inflation and high gas prices and taxes, and said the solution was to stop electing them to statewide offices. She argued that the state was “going over the cliff” because of “Massachusetts’ Green New Deal.”

“This is not working for people,” Miller said. “We have to slow this down.”

In keeping with her opening statement, Miller closed by saying that Democrats had created the problems, and it would take a Republican to clean it up.

“Even if you have never voted Republican in the past, I am asking you to help me help you,” she said. “We can no longer afford Democrats.”

In his closing statement, Elliott said he would be the “voice of people,” and get things done.

“I understand budgets and appropriations — there’s no learning curve. I know how to get things done,” he said. “The district needs a representative who is going to go there and fight for funding on Day One.”

The Massachusetts House of Representatives needs to put people first and pass the tax relief economic development bill now. Had the process not been halted, checks would be going out averaging $250 for individuals and $500 for those filing jointly.

What could working families do with an extra $250 or $500 dollars? To many, this money could provide at least some immediate help with clothes for school or additional groceries for families already struggling with inflation and gas prices.

I commend the Legislature for passing critical bills for mental health, infrastructure, and climate change, along with comprehensive sports betting that allows businesses to remain competitive. However, they fell short by not passing the sweeping $4 billion-dollar-plus economic development bill.

The pending bill provides $1 billion dollars in tax relief ($500 million in one-time tax rebates, and $500 million in permanent cuts). It also makes significant investments in MassWorks, clean energy environmental infrastructure, technology, education, Clean Water Trust, nursing homes, rental assistance, affordable housing, and millions to boost research initiatives. The direct rebates to taxpayers comes during a time the state enjoys an unprecedented $5 billion dollar surplus. Families need that help now, not in January 2023.

The House is waiting on a review of a 1986 law, Chapter 62F which calls for the return of certain tax surpluses, now estimated at $3 billion dollars. That surplus should be returned to the taxpayers immediately.

This law’s been on the books since 1986 and there has been plenty of time to study the effect. The Economic Development bill stands on its own merits and should be passed now. Working families and our many support organizations in Lowell and Chelmsford cannot wait for funding on vital projects. I am urging the House to advance the economic relief legislation through informal session and approve it immediately or return into formal session.

The critical funding for programs in Lowell includes monies for: Lowell High School athletic fields, the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust, UTEC, Lowell Acre Crossing, Lowell Community Health Center, Cambodia Town Lowell, Inc.; the Bridge Club of Greater Lowell; Project Learn, Inc.; Megan House Foundation Inc.; Acre Family Child Care and more.

In Chelmsford, there are also very vital programs at stake including $150,000 for improvements to the playing field and Varney playground equipment; $150,000 for an excessive wastewater flow system; and $250,000 for a PFAS remediation system.

Residents of the 16th Middlesex District deserve a state representative that will work tirelessly to secure the funding we need. Serving on the local level for 24 years, I saw your struggles firsthand. If I have the honor of serving as your state representative, I will use my experience to make government work for all of us. Let’s put people first and pass the Economic Development bill.

 
Rodney Elliott is a candidate for state representative in the 16th Middlesex District which includes the Lowell neighborhoods of Pawtucketville, Centralville; and the Chelmsford neighborhoods of North Chelmsford and the Westlands. For more visit rodneyelliott.com 

Rodney Elliott has always been there for our neighborhood of Centralville. When I was head of the Centralville Neighborhood Action Group, I called Rodney on many issues. It never mattered how big or small, he always answered his phone and helped whether it was dealing with a loud party or illegal dumping. Any problem, any time of day, he responded. Rodney shows up.

As a former mayor and 24-year city councilor, there isn’t an issue he hasn’t dealt with including working with state agencies. Rodney knows the who’s who and what’s what of cutting red tape. As a senior, I was happy with his motion to sue big pharma which brought in millions of dollars, and his support for the gas tax holiday for hardworking families. Rodney has worked hard his whole life from helping with his family’s small business at a young age to decades at environmental agencies.

Rodney has the experience, but most importantly, he has heart. The heart of a leader who cares about his community enough to volunteer countless hours to many organizations including working with our youth as part of Lowell Youth Soccer and Centralville Basketball.

It is because he’s been there for me and my neighborhood that I will get out on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and cast my ballot for Rodney Elliott for state representative. Let’s put this hard-working responsive person in a position to help all of us.