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Robert J. Rodriguez

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Robert Rodriguez
67thSecretary of State of New York
In office
December 9, 2021 – May 8, 2024
Acting: December 9, 2021 – March 2, 2022
GovernorKathy Hochul
Preceded byBrendan Hughes (acting)
Succeeded byBrendan Hughes (acting)
Member of theNew York State Assembly
from the68thdistrict
In office
January 1, 2011 – November 4, 2021
Preceded byAdam Powell
Succeeded byEddie Gibbs
Personal details
Born(1976-04-11)April 11, 1976(age 48)
New York City,U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationYale University(BA)
New York University(MBA)

Robert J. Rodriguez(born April 11, 1976)[1]is aDemocraticpolitician who served as theSecretary of State of New Yorkfrom December 2021 to May 2024. He formerly was member of theNew York State Assembly,representing the 68th Assembly District based inEast Harlem.In May 2024, Rodriquez began as president and chief executive officer of theDormitory Authority of the State of New York.

Education and early career[edit]

The son of former New York Councilman Robert Rodriguez,[2]Robert J. Rodriguez was born and raised in East Harlem. He attended P.S. 112, River East Elementary School, Isaac Newton Middle School, andCardinal Hayes High School.He holds a B.A. in history and political science fromYale University,and received his M.B.A. fromNew York University.[3]

Rodriguez worked as a Vice President of a minority-owned public finance firm where he helped municipalities raise money for development and public works projects. During this time, he served as Chairman ofManhattan Community Board 11,representing East Harlem. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of theUpper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation,which provided over $95 million in financing and grants to organizations in East Harlem. He has also served on the boards of the Terrance Cardinal Cooke Community Advisory Board,Catholic Charities Community Services of New York,and the Supportive Children's Advocacy Network of NY (Scan NY). He is a member of the New America Alliance, and a fellow on the Council for Urban Professionals (CUP).[citation needed]

Jonathan Rodriguez was born and raised in East Harlem. He attended P.S. 112, River East Elementary School, Isaac Newton Middle School, andCardinal Hayes High School.

Assembly[edit]

Rodriguez represented Assembly District 68, comprising East Harlem and Randalls and Wards Islands. He was elected to his seat in 2010. He was again elected in 2012, running unopposed on both the Democratic and Working Families Party platforms.[citation needed]

Since joining the Assembly, Rodriguez has acted as Chair of the Mitchell-Lama Subcommittee, working to provide affordable housing.[4]In addition, he serves as a member of the Banks, Health, Housing, Labor, Mental Health, and Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions committees. He is a part of the Black,Puerto Rican,Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, and is on the Executive Board of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.[citation needed]

A new purportedlygrassrootsnon-profit organization,"New York 4 Harlem", that actively solicited donations of $500 to $5,000 was reported in 2018 to allegedly have been a front for Rodriguez and three other Harlem elected officials.[5][6]In addition, a flyer organizing a free bus trip to Albany for a conference organized by the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators with New York 4 Harlem's name on it featured a picture of Rodriguez and the three other officials.[7][8][9]Nonprofit organizations are not allowed to take part in campaign activity.[6]The contact person for the event was a staffer working in the office of one of the other three legislators.[5]

New York Secretary of State[edit]

On November 4, 2021, GovernorKathy Hochulnominated Robert Rodriguez for appointment as Secretary of State of New York. Rodriguez assumed an acting role as secretary in December 2021,[10]and was confirmed by theNew York State Senateon March 2, 2022.[11][12]Rodriguez replacedRossana Rosado.The last former elected official to hold this role wasGail S. Shaffer,a former assemblywoman. Rodriquez left his position as secretary of state in May 2024 to become president and chief executive officer of theDormitory Authority of the State of New York.[13]Upon senate confirmation, he was succeeded byWalter T. Mosley.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Robert J. Rodriguez: Biography".New York State Assembly.RetrievedMarch 13,2011.
  2. ^"Robert Rodriguez - For New York State Assembly".Robert J. Rodriguez.RetrievedApril 28,2014.
  3. ^"Robert J. Rodriguez".dos.ny.gov.Department of State.Retrieved27 May2022.
  4. ^"NY State Assembly: Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces".New York State Assembly.RetrievedApril 28,2014.
  5. ^abCampanile, Carl (February 19, 2018)."'Grassroots' nonprofit group has ties to powerful politicians ".
  6. ^abMagazine, Harlem World (February 19, 2018)."Harlem 'Grassroots' Nonprofit Has Ties To Powerful Politicians Reports NY Post".
  7. ^"'Grassroots' nonprofit group has ties to powerful politicians ".New York Post.2018-02-19.RetrievedFebruary 28,2018.
  8. ^"Harlem 'Grassroots' Nonprofit Has Ties To Powerful Politicians Reports NY Post".Harlem World Magazine.2018-02-19.RetrievedFebruary 28,2018.
  9. ^"Harlem Non-Profit Accused Of Secretly Working For Local Politicians".NYC Inquirer.2018-02-20. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-02-21.RetrievedFebruary 28,2018.
  10. ^Garber, Nick (December 13, 2021)."Harlem Assembly Race Heats Up: Who Will Replace Robert Rodriguez?".Patch.RetrievedMay 23,2024.Rodriguez assumed the office this month
  11. ^"New York State Senate Session - 03/02/2022"(video).youtube.com.NYSenate. March 2, 2022.
  12. ^"Robert J. Rodriguez".
  13. ^Parsnow, Luke (April 10, 2024)."New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez to take new role leading Dormitory Authority".Spectrum News 1.RetrievedMay 22,2024.
  14. ^"Governor Hochul Announces Confirmation of Administration Appointees by Senate".New York Governor.May 22, 2024.RetrievedMay 23,2024.

External links[edit]

New York State Assembly
Preceded by Member of theNew York Assembly
from the68thdistrict

2011–2021
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Rossana Rosado
Brendan C. Hughes
(Acting)
Secretary of State of New York
2021–2024
Acting: 2021–2022
Succeeded by
Brendan C. Hughes
(Acting)
Walter T. Mosley