Robert J. Rodriguez

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Robert Rodriguez
67th Secretary of State of New York
Assumed office
November 4, 2021
Acting: November 4, 2021 – March 2, 2022
GovernorKathy Hochul
Preceded byRossana Rosado
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 68th district
In office
January 1, 2011 – November 4, 2021
Preceded byAdam Powell
Succeeded byEddie Gibbs
Personal details
Born (1976-04-11) April 11, 1976 (age 47)
New York City, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationYale University (BA)
New York University (MBA)

Robert J. Rodriguez (born April 11, 1976)[1] is a Democratic politician serving as the Secretary of State of New York. He formerly was member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 68th Assembly District based in East Harlem.

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, and Cardinal Hayes High School. He holds a B.A. in history and political science from Yale University, and received his M.B.A. from New 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 of Manhattan Community Board 11, representing East Harlem. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Upper 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, and Cardinal 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 purportedly grassroots non-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, Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Robert Rodriguez as Secretary of State of New York. Rodriguez was confirmed by the New York State Senate on March 2, 2022.[10][11] Rodriguez replaced Rossana Rosado. The last former elected official to hold this role was Gail S. Shaffer

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Robert J. Rodriguez: Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  2. ^ "Robert Rodriguez - For New York State Assembly". Robert J. Rodriguez. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  3. ^ "Robert J. Rodriguez". dos.ny.gov. Department of State. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  4. ^ "NY State Assembly: Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces". New York State Assembly. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Campanile, Carl (February 19, 2018). "'Grassroots' nonprofit group has ties to powerful politicians".
  6. ^ a b Magazine, 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. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  8. ^ "Harlem 'Grassroots' Nonprofit Has Ties To Powerful Politicians Reports NY Post". Harlem World Magazine. 2018-02-19. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  9. ^ "Harlem Non-Profit Accused Of Secretly Working For Local Politicians". NYC Inquirer. 2018-02-20. Archived from the original on 2018-02-21. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  10. ^ "New York State Senate Session - 03/02/2022" (video). youtube.com. NYSenate. March 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Robert J. Rodriguez".

External links[edit]

New York State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New York Assembly
from the 68th district

2011–2021
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of New York
2021–present
Acting: 2021–2022
Incumbent