Rodney Elliott, who in February announced he would not be seeking re-election to the Massachusetts State House this Fall, didn’t have to wait long to find his next opportunity.
The 16th Middlesex State Representative has accepted a position as Assistant Director of Finance with the Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, with a start date of July 1.
Elliott tells InsideLowell he still hopes to complete his term in an unpaid capacity on Beacon Hill. He said the House Counsel has submitted a request with the State Ethics Commission for a ruling on whether that is possible. If not, he will have to step down as State Rep, leaving the seat vacant through the end of the year.
“I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career,” Elliott said when contacted this afternoon. “I have over 40-years of experience in finance and budgeting, and with a Business Manager’s License through DESE, this position with the Collegiate Charter School of Lowell represents a great opportunity to use my expertise to continue growing this important institution that provides educational opportunities for Lowell’s students.”
Elliott won election to the 16th Middlesex District seat in 2022 and is serving his second term. He mounted a run for 1st Middlesex State Senate this past February, coming up short in the Democratic primary against his House colleague, Vanna Howard.
He stressed that his State House staff remains in place and will continue to be available to help with constituent services, even if the ethics ruling comes back requiring him to step down from his representative’s seat.
We are excited to welcome Rodney Elliott to the Collegiate community,” said Collegiate Charter School of Lowell Executive Director Adam Bakr. “He is the perfect fit to provide the operational and financial leadership we are seeking with the imminent departure of our longtime Director of Finance. Mr. Elliott holds a School Business Administrator license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has extensive financial experience, including serving as a former Capital Budget Director for DCR, as well as in many other similar roles. He has also worked in education, having taught at Suffolk University, and is a highly respected, long-standing leader in the Lowell community. We look forward to his leadership on many upcoming projects that are critical to the school’s continued success.”
4 responses to “Rep. Elliott Goes Back to School”
The reason I had attempted a State Senate run was because it had become an OPEN seat with the untimely passing of Senator Ed Kennedy, Plus the fact that BOTH Representatives Howard and Elliott were currently in elected positions. So NOW, the hardworking taxpayers will not be represented and advocated for at the State House during these very important and challenging times for the next 8 months because now, BOTH Representatives have relinquished their seats. This is NOT right or fair!
I would not blame Rep. Elliott or Sen. Howard for the vacant seats but look towards our state legislative system. State legislators earn less than some of their staff and could easily earn higher salaries in the private sector. Their work is a community service and we should thank them for their hard and often unappreciated work. Thank you, Rodney, for serving two terms as my state rep and your history of public service in Lowell. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
When someone CHOOSES to run for PUBLIC OFFICE, you take an OATH to represent, advocate, and to fulfill your promise of commitment to the HARDWORKING TAXPAYERS who put their collective FAITH in you and voted for you based on that promise!
Legislative salaries in Massachusetts
In 2025, the base salary was $82,044.31 for both State Senators and State Representatives. For state Senators, the average additional pay, such as from stipends for leadership positions, was $83,562.10.[5] The average total pay for members of the State Senate was $164,554.02. For State Representatives, the average additional pay was $43,948.07. The average total pay for members of the State House was $125,175.52.
Leadership & Committee Stipends (2025–2026)
The following stipends are added to the base salary for representatives holding key positions:
Speaker of the House: $119,631.81
Chair, House Ways & Means Committee: $97,200.84
Majority and Minority Leaders: $89,723.85
Speaker Pro Tempore: $74,769.88
Caucus Leaders (Assistant, 2nd, and 3rd Assistant): $52,338.92
Chairs of “Selected” Committees: $44,861.93 (includes Judiciary, Education, Transportation, etc.)
Vice Chairs of Ways & Means: $44,861.93
All Other Committee Chairs: $22,430.96
Vice Chairs of All Other Committees: $7,776.07
In Massachusetts, the base compensation of legislators is set in Article CXVIII of the state constitution. Beginning in 2001, the base compensation level increases every two years based on the rate of change in the median household income in the state for the preceding two years. Additional compensation, such as stipends, is set in state law. The state legislature has the authority to change the amount, frequency,
and availability of stipends.