Less than a month after losing a hotly contested State Senate primary against fellow State Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell), 16th Middlesex State Rep. Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell) has decided not to seek a third term on Beacon Hill.
The longtime political figure, who represents Lowell’s Centralville and Pawtucketville neighborhoods, along with North Chelmsford and Chelmsford Center, confirmed the decision to InsideLowell Friday evening. (formal statement from Rep. Elliott attached below)
Elliott won election to his seat in 2022, beating Zoe Dzineku in the Democratic Primary before defeating Republican Karla Miller in the General Election. He ran unopposed in 2024, but was facing a challenge from political newcomer Lorena Betts this fall.
Prior to that, he was on the Lowell City Council from 1997-2022 and served as Mayor 2014-2015.
Elliott vied for the 1st Middlesex State Senate seat formerly held by Ed Kennedy of Lowell, coming up short earlier this month against his House colleague Howard on February 3rd. Howard is on the ballot against Republican Sam Meas and Unenrolled candidate Joe Espinola this coming Tuesday, March 3.
In a stunning political turn of events, should Howard emerge victorious and get sworn into the State Senate, her 17th Middlesex State Rep seat would become vacant, creating two open seats in Lowell for this Fall’s election, meaning first-term 18th Middlesex State Rep Tara Hong (D-Lowell) could very well become the dean of the Mill City’s Beacon Hill delegation.
Hong himself, however, is facing what’s expected to be a tough re-election challenge from current Lowell City Councilor and former Mayor, Sokhary Chau, who declared his candidacy last weekend.
Meanwhile, now that Elliott is out of the running, Betts is sure to have plenty of company on the September 1 primary ballot.
Two names that immediately pop into mind are Lowell City Councilors Danny Rourke (Pawtucketville) and Corey Robinson (Centralville).
Contacted about the news this evening, Rourke tells InsideLowell he “had been thinking about running even before Elliott’s announcement.”
Robinson also says he would consider a campaign, but that he would “support Danny if he runs based on the the job he did as Mayor and having his finger on the pulse of the district.”
Stay with InsideLowell as other names emerge in that race, along with the 17th Middlesex seat.
5 responses to “Rep. Elliott Won’t Seek Re-Election this Fall”
Elliott is no dummy. Mayor Rourke beat him once, he knows what happens if they run against each other again
Representative Elliott did not for the will of the people that being the state audit. When 70% plus direct our representatives to do our bidding as we have instructed that is what we expect. Representative Elliott along with so many of his other compatriots in the house have failed us once again.
Turns out Pepperell loomed larger than any of us would have thought…
“Robinson also says he would consider a campaign, but that he would “support Danny if he runs based on the the job he did as Mayor and having his finger on the pulse of the district.”
I second that emotion!!!
What are the odds Hot Rod is city manager by January 2027?