House Speaker DeLeo’s resignation takes effect Tuesday night

BOSTON — Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) submitted his letter of resignation and will be leaving office effective Tuesday, according to a formal letter.

I write to inform you that I intend to resign as both a Member and Speaker of the House of Representatives effective Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. It been an honor and privilege serving as a Member of this institution for almost 30 years. The faith and trust my colleagues placed in me by electing me as their Speaker for a record 6 consecutive terms 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. This House has consistently led the way and provided solutions to some of the most complex and challenging public policy problems of our time. It is a comfort for me to know that through our joint efforts, when I leave I do so with the knowledge that the House is well positioned for continued success.

My gratitude also extends to the staff of the House of Representatives. The staff of this organization work tirelessly on our behalf and on behalf of our constituents. Their hard work and dedication is much appreciated.

As each of my colleagues know, as elected officials we all go through difficult moments. It’s part of the job description. Our families, however, go through those challenges with us.

Through my almost 30 years as member of this body and through every day of my almost 12 years as your Speaker, my family has been there for me in good and bad times. Words are inadequate to express my gratitude to my partner Vicki, my daughter Rachele, my son Rob, my sister Carol and of course my two granddaughters, Autumn and Anna. It is with the deepest appreciation and abiding sense of love for the House of Representatives and all of the people associated with it that I humbly submit this letter of resignation.

—  House Speaker Robert DeLeo

DeLeo steps down after roughly 30 years in the House and a dozen as speaker. The 70-year-old from Winthrop’s resignation takes effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier this month, DeLeo announced that he would begin negotiating possible opportunities with Northeastern University, his alma mater.

“Today I filed a disclosure letter with the House Clerk and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission to disclose that I intend to begin negotiating prospective employment opportunities with Northeastern University,” Speaker DeLeo said in a statement.

“As of today, I have not personally had any discussions with anyone from Northeastern University relative to any possible employment opportunities.”

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A spokesperson for Northeastern University said, “We are looking forward to discussing with Speaker DeLeo opportunities to welcome him back to his alma mater.”

Speaker DeLeo, who is the longest-serving House Speaker in Massachusetts history, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern, according to his biography on the Massachusetts Legislature’s website.

The Democratic supermajority appears ready to elect Representative Ronald Mariano as speaker. The 74-year-old from Quincy has served in the chamber since 1991.

The House Democratic caucus will vote remotely on Wednesday.

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