This morning’s annual Lowell St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, always a hotbed for political fodder, introduced a new candidate in the race to replace the host for this year’s event, State Representative Rodney Elliott.

With Elliott recently announcing he won’t seek re-election to the 16th Middlesex seat he’s represented since 2023, many eyes turned toward Lowell City Councilor Corey Robinson.

Yet when Robinson, who had previously told InsideLowell he was considering a run, took the microphone this morning to launch a candidacy, it turned out to be for his fellow Centralville resident, Mona Tyree.

While Insiders had picked up rumblings about Tyree’s potential entry into the race if Robinson took a pass, the news took many in the audience this morning by surprise. Shortly after 10am, our cell phones were humming with news of the announcement.

“It’s an honor to be able to have the opportunity to be considered for the open 16th Middlesex State Representative District seat,” Tyree told InsideLowell when contacted. “As a life long Lowellian, I have always been passionate about our community and given back. I look forward to discussing my background, abilities and commitment to Lowell.”

In 2024, Tyree was honored with a Black Excellence on the Hill award, after being nominated by Rep. Elliott. The 30-year local banker, who was also a part of InsideLowell’s election coverage team in 2023 and 2024, added that her campaign will focus on “people, passion and purpose.”

Her entry into the race brings the field of announced candidates to two.

In September of 2025, Chelmsford’s Lorena Betts launched a challenge to Elliott even before his run for the State Senate seat vacated with the passing of Ed Kennedy.

Just this past Thursday, Betts appeared on the InsideLowell Daily Pulse, highlighting her background and the issues she is focusing on during the campaign.

Tuesday April 28 is the last day for candidates interested in running to return their nomination papers and have signatures certified to appear on the September 1 State Primary ballot. The General Election is slated for November 3.