A decade has passed since Bob DeLeo, the State Rep. representing Winthrop and Revere, was elected Speaker of the House by his fellow legislators. (Time certainly moves quickly.)
The 10th anniversary of Speaker DeLeo’s elevation to this leadership position deserves recognition, particularly because it coincided with two noteworthy occurrences in January 2009.
Bob’s selection by his colleagues represented a turning point following a troubling pattern: multiple House Speakers had been forced to step down due to scandals. The most recent was Sal DiMasi, who faced federal corruption charges from prosecutors, ultimately resulting in his conviction and incarceration in federal prison.
Adding to the complexity of that moment, Bob took on the Speakership during what proved to be the most severe economic crisis to strike Massachusetts, the nation, and the world since the Great Depression.
Taking on the Speaker role in January 2009 presented extraordinary difficulties, given both the troubled history of the House in the preceding decade and the substantial challenges confronting the state.
Yet reviewing the past 10 years reveals that Bob DeLeo deserves primary credit for two accomplishments: restoring public confidence in the legislature and steering Massachusetts through an exceptionally challenging fiscal period—achievements matched by few others in state government.
While governors and State Senate presidents have rotated through their offices, Bob DeLeo has remained a consistent, stabilizing force leading the House of Representatives.
Beyond his role in designing a state budget approach that balances fiscal responsibility with forward planning, Bob has distinguished himself on Beacon Hill for his unique capacity to unite diverse constituencies and collaborate across party lines and with Republican administrations, fostering a spirit of cooperation rarely seen elsewhere in the nation. The progress Massachusetts has achieved during his decade as Speaker reflects the transformative impact one individual can have on constituents’ lives—and the state is undoubtedly stronger for Bob DeLeo’s 10 years of service as Speaker of the House.