‘An honor and a privilege’
DeLeo to resign as speaker
The state’s longest-serving House speaker, Robert DeLeo, will end his reign after more than 30 years on Beacon Hill, triggering a leadership shake-up as the Legislature closes out on a tumultuous year.
The Winthrop Democrat will resign, effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to a letter that was read by House Clerk Steven T. James to representatives in the chamber on Monday.
“The faith and trust my colleagues placed in me … fills me with a profound sense of gratitude and appreciation. My pride with what we have collectively accomplished over the last 12 years will never be diminished,” DeLeo said, adding “it has been an honor and a privilege” to serve.
The move ends weeks of speculation on Beacon Hill that intensified over the last two weeks when the 70-year-old speaker filed an ethics disclosure saying he would enter into employment negotiations with Northeastern University, his alma mater.
Quincy state Rep. Ron Mariano, the majority leader and DeLeo’s right hand, appears poised to take over as speaker after another state representative withdrew his name from the running.
State Rep. Russell Homes on Monday told the Herald, “I have decided not to be a fly in the ointment.”
Holmes launched a protest candidacy for the position in an effort to “increase transparency, fairness and respect.”
“This was not about Mariano or DeLeo. This building — I think — is structurally racist and with white men on top, my concern was it’s only going to stay that way,” the Mattapan Democrat said.
“But Mariano is listening,” Holmes continued, saying he plans to throw his support behind the Quincy representative.
A vote to determine the next speaker is expected on Wednesday. House rules prevent any work until a new speaker is installed.
Mariano in a statement said he is “confident” in his election.
“We have a lot of work to do overriding budget vetoes and completing conference committee negotiations. I am focused on seeing that work continue uninterrupted,” he said.
DeLeo has held the position since 2009 and in February became the longest-serving speak in state history.
Gov. Charlie Baker said he has “always appreciated his work ethic and his sense of balance,” even though the Democratic speaker and the Republican governor had their fair share of disagreements.
“He worked hard to find common ground among competing voices,” Baker said. “That focus on deliberation and discussion made the end result better, and has created a positive, lasting legacy across state government.”
Calling DeLeo her “partner and friend,” Senate President Karen Spilka said, “it has been an honor to work with him to improve the lives of our residents, families, and communities, and help our businesses throughout the Commonwealth. I know the Speaker has definitely made his mark on our state, and the impact of his work will be felt for years to come.”
DeLeo ascended to the State House position after the resignation of former Speaker Sal DiMasi, who was under investigation and eventually convicted by federal authorities on corruption charges. Predecessors Tom Finneran and Charley Flaherty also left under the cloud of corruption.
DeLeo’s legacy, however, will be marked by his work on gun control, domestic violence, child welfare, wage parity, transportation, education, criminal justice and police reform.
His exit follows a turbulent year defined by the coronavirus pandemic and rising racial tensions that served as the impetus for the recently passed landmark police reform bill — the session’s crowning legislative achievement.
DeLeo appears destined for Northeastern. A university spokeswoman on Monday said, “Pending ongoing conversations, we are looking forward to welcoming Speaker DeLeo back to his alma mater.”
A three-way race for the 19th Suffolk District, the seat DeLeo holds, has already taken shape with the potential for the candidate pool to grow even bigger.
Juan Pablo Jaramillo, a Democratic State Committee member and political coordinator for 32BJ SEIU from Revere, was first to file as a candidate with the state on Friday.
“I’m taking a very hard look at this seat,” Jaramillo said in an email to the Herald. “I’ve served my community in various capacities throughout my career and this would be an opportunity to continue to serve and bring that perspective to Beacon Hill.”
Joining him are former Winthrop Town Council President Jeffrey Turco and Revere Director of Veteran Services Marc Silvestri, who each had paperwork on file as of Monday.
Valentino Capobianco, a Winthrop School Committee member and state Sen. Paul Feeney’s chief of staff, posted on Facebook that he was “seriously considering” launching a bid.
And Alicia DelVento, a state Democratic committeewoman and communication and policy aid for Rep. Danielle Gregoire, is also reportedly interested in running.