Danny Rourke announced his resignation from the Lowell City Council tonight during the governing board’s regularly scheduled meeting.

The Pawtucketville resident, who served as the city’s Mayor during the 2024-2025 term and ran unopposed for re-election last November in District 1, revealed the news after asking for a moment of “personal privilege” at the end of a session which ran well past the normal 10pm deadline due to a busy agenda.

While not offering a specific reason for his departure, Rourke said “it’s just time” and that he leaves “with no regrets”  during what appeared to be a prepared speech that was followed by platitudes from his fellow councilors.

Rourke was first elected to the council in 2013 and served two terms under the old at-large system, before coming up short in his 2017 bid for re-election. He returned to the council after winning a seat again two years later, in November of 2019.

Rourke then won a hard-fought battle for the District 1 seat against fellow councilor Rodney Elliott in 2021, the first year under Lowell’s new hybrid district representation system.

In 2024, he was selected Mayor by his colleagues and spearheaded Lowell becoming the first Frontrunner City in the United States, a distinction that is hoped to bring $2-billion in international investments to the Mill City over the coming years.

Contacted by InsideLowell following the council meeting late Tuesday night, Rourke thanked his colleagues and supporters.

“Serving the residents of Lowell has been an honor and a privilege,” he said in a brief statement. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of our community. During my time on the Council, I have valued the collaboration with my colleagues, city staff, and constituents, all of whom are committed to making Lowell a stronger and more vibrant city.”

He also expressed special appreciation to his wife April and children Haley and Zack, saying their “undying support since first announcing as a city council candidate made it possible to serve to the best of my ability.”

Once the shock of the announcement wears off, attention will soon turn to filling the just created vacancy, if it hasn’t already.

Under a Home Rule Petition approved by the Massachusetts legislature in July of 2024 following John Leahy’s resignation from the council, a special election must be called within 120 days of the seat officially being declared vacant, if that vacancy occurs in the first year of the term.

With Rourke’s departure falling within that first-year timeline, that gives the city until about January 20, 2027, to hold a special election to fill the seat.

Had the vacancy occurred in the second year, the city council would have had the option of either calling a special election or appointing a replacement until the next regular municipal election. The bill also allows for the seat to remain vacant in the latter half of the second year if the body so chooses.

As for who might be interested in running to replace Rourke, three established political names immediately come to mind.

Ray Boutin, a former Greater Lowell Regional Technical High School committee member and formerly President of the Pawtucketville Youth Baseball and Softball organization, has indicated on multiple occasions on the Daily Pulse podcast he would be interested in serving on the Lowell City Council, but only if “my friend Danny Rourke decides not to seek re-election.”

Rodney Elliott, who stepped down from the 16^th Middlesex State Representative seat in early August, answered “probably” during an August Daily Pulse appearance when asked if we might see him run for office again, likely as a City Councilor.

And Danielle McFadden, who is currently serving on the School Committee in an at-large capacity after topping the ticket in November of 2025, has previously expressed interest in serving as a city councilor at some point in the future.

Could the future be now for her and anyone else interested in the District 1 seat?