Party: DemocratAge: 52Family: Married; two childrenProfession: Co-owner of Salerno’s Italian Pub & EateryEducation: Everett High SchoolElected office experience: Beverly Ward 1 City CouncilorCommunity leadership experience: President and founder of Beverly 400+, chairperson of the Beverly Youth Collaboration Board, member of the Greater Beverly YMCA Executive Board, president of the Ryal Side Civic Association, member of Essex Tech School Council, Beverly Citywide PTO president
Ward 1 City Councilor Todd Rotondo said his 30 years as a local business owner and community advocate in Beverly has made him the best candidate in the race to succeed Jerry Parisella at the Statehouse.
“It’s been my ability to really find and hear a problem, whether it’s education or if it’s housing or concerning veterans, and actually take action and get things done,” Rotondo told The Salem News.
Raised in Everett, Rotondo moved to Beverly in his early 20s to open his business and raise his family. His interest in local politics revved up when his restaurant became a “lunch counter” of sorts for City Hall politicians and local department heads, leading him from local school PTOs and community organizations to a seat on the City Council in 2020.
“People automatically assume I was born and raised in Beverly because of the many connections that I developed over the years through my volunteering and my donations as a business owner,” he said.
“I’ve been fully engaged since the day that I moved up here,” he said.
If elected state representative, Rotondo plans to focus on education, infrastructure and housing as top priorities. He noted his 27-year-old daughter who is a public school teacher in Beverly cannot afford the area’s high housing costs, a reality for many young people trying to get on their feet, he said.
Rotondo also plans to lead on strong communication and collaboration skills, and effectively educate people on issues, he said.
In light of potential cuts to federal programs like Medicaid and Social Security, and President Donald Trump’s push to eliminate the Department of Education, Rotondo said it is important for state legislators to advocate for the protection of education and health care funding. He will also oppose unfunded mandates from the government and their “crippling” effects on local budgets, he said.
Noting he is a “proven problem solver,” Rotondo said it will be his role to make sure every state and federal dollar counts, if elected.
“It is really making sure to bring those dollars back to the city for what the city needs and to help not increase taxes of the local residents of Beverly and Wenham,” Rotondo said.
Rotondo faces off with Councilor-at-large Hannah Bowen April 15 in a Democratic primary special election.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.