DeLeo lands NU job, as anticipated
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo has landed a gig at Northeastern University after weeks of speculation.
DeLeo will be a “University Fellow for Public Life” at his alma mater, his attorney, Elissa Flynn-Poppey, confirmed to the Herald on Friday.
“Former Speaker DeLeo is excited to be joining his alma mater, Northeastern University, as a University Fellow for Public Life,” she said in a statement. “As a University Fellow he will participate in teaching and student mentoring, including the Open Classroom Series and experiential learning opportunities.”
DeLeo now has an employee page on the university’s website that lists him under the Office of the Provost, though his email is not yet set up and a phone number is not available. A Northeastern University spokeswoman did not return a Herald reporter’s request for comment on DeLeo’s new job and his salary as of press time.
The Winthrop Democrat was expected to take a job at Northeastern when he bid the State House farewell in late December, ending a historic run as the longest-serving House speaker.
DeLeo’s departure after 12 years atop Beacon Hill set off a scramble for his leadership post that current Speaker Ronald Mariano of Quincy locked up.
It also set off a race to replace DeLeo in the 19th Suffolk District that includes Winthrop and parts of Revere.
Of the six candidates who have filed with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, five are Democrats: Democratic state committeeman Juan Pablo Jaramillo of Revere; Revere Director of Veteran Services Marc Silvestri; former Winthrop Town Council President Jeffrey Turco; Alicia DelVento, a Winthrop Democratic state committeewoman and aide to state Rep. Danielle Gregoire; and Valentino Capobianco of Winthrop, a former DeLeo aide and current chief of staff for state Sen. Paul Feeney.
Richard Fucillo Jr. of Winthrop, the newest entrant, is unenrolled.
Candidates have until Jan. 19 to submit nomination papers to their local registrars and until Jan. 26 to turn them in to the state. Primaries will be held on March 2, with a special election slated for March 30.