Robert J. Rodriguez

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Robert J. Rodriguez

| office =

| state_assembly1 =

| birth_date =

| birth_place = New York City, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| education = Yale University (BA)
New York University (MBA)

| state_assembly4 = New York

| district4 = 68th

| termstart4 = January 1, 2011

| termend4 = November 4, 2021

| predecessor4 = Adam Powell

| successor4 = Eddie Gibbs

| office3 = 67th Secretary of State of New York

| office2 = President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Dormitory Authority

| termstart3 = December 9, 2021

| termend3 = May 8, 2024
{{small|Acting: December 9, 2021 – March 2, 2022}}

| predecessor3 = Brendan Hughes (acting)

| successor3 = Walter Mosley

| governor3 = Kathy Hochul

| governor2 = Kathy Hochul

| termstart2 = May 22, 2024
{{small|Acting: May 8, 2024 – May 22, 2024}}

| predecessor2 = Reuben McDaniel

}}

Robert J. Rodriguez is the president and chief executive officer of the New York State Dormitory Authority. He was the Secretary of State of New York from December 2021 to May 2024. He also served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 68th Assembly District from 2011 to 2021.

Early life and education

The son of former New York City Councilmember Robert Rodriguez,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2023/09/2023-power-diversity-latino-100/390456/|title=The 2023 Power of Diversity: Latino 100|date=September 25, 2023|website=City & State NY}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/obituaries/robert-rodriguez-43-politician-and-affirmative-action-official.html|title=Robert Rodriguez, 43, Politician And Affirmative-Action Official|first=Wolfgang|last=Saxon|work=The New York Times |date=July 23, 1994|via=NYTimes.com}} 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.{{cite web |title=Robert J. Rodriguez |url=https://dos.ny.gov/robert-j-rodriguez-0 |website=dos.ny.gov |publisher=Department of State |access-date=27 May 2022}}

Career in politics and government

Rodriguez was a member of the Assembly from 2011 to 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/robert-rodriguez-new-york-secretary-of-state/|title=Hochul Picks Harlem Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez For Secretary Of State |date=November 5, 2021|website=www.cbsnews.com}} He represented Assembly District 68.{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/harlem-assembly-race-heats-who-will-replace-robert-rodriguez|title=Harlem Assembly Race Heats Up: Who Will Replace Robert Rodriguez?|date=December 13, 2021|website=Harlem, NY Patch|last=Garber |first=Nick}} He was Chair of the Mitchell-Lama Subcommittee, working to provide affordable housing.

A purportedly grassroots non-profit organization, "New York 4 Harlem", that actively solicited donations of $500 to $5,000 was accused in 2018 of being a front for Rodriguez and three other Harlem elected officials.{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2018/02/19/grassroots-nonprofit-group-has-ties-to-powerful-politicians/|title='Grassroots' nonprofit group has ties to powerful politicians|first=Carl|last=Campanile|date=February 19, 2018|work=New York Post}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/harlem-grassroots-nonprofit-ties-powerful-politicians-reports-ny-post/|title=Harlem 'Grassroots' Nonprofit Has Ties To Powerful Politicians Reports NY Post|work=Harlem World Magazine|date=February 19, 2018}}

On November 4, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul nominated Rodriguez for appointment as Secretary of State of New York. Rodriguez assumed an acting role as secretary in December 2021,{{cite news |url=https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/harlem-assembly-race-heats-who-will-replace-robert-rodriguez |title=Harlem Assembly Race Heats Up: Who Will Replace Robert Rodriguez? |date=December 13, 2021 |work=Patch |first=Nick |last=Garber |access-date=May 23, 2024 |quote=Rodriguez assumed the office this month}} and was confirmed by the New York State Senate on March 2, 2022.{{cite web|title=New York State Senate Session - 03/02/2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQVGzFJEjGQ |website=youtube.com |publisher=NYSenate |language=en |format=video |date=March 2, 2022}}

Rodriguez left his position as secretary of state in May 2024 to become president and chief executive officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.{{cite news |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2024/04/10/n-y--secretary-of-state-robert-rodriguez-to-take-new-role |title=New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez to take new role leading Dormitory Authority |date=April 10, 2024 |work=Spectrum News 1 |first=Luke |last=Parsnow |access-date=May 22, 2024}} Upon Senate confirmation, he was succeeded by Walter T. Mosley.{{cite web |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-confirmation-administration-appointees-senate-0 |title=Governor Hochul Announces Confirmation of Administration Appointees by Senate |date=May 22, 2024 |website=governor.ny.gov |access-date=May 23, 2024}}

Personal life

Rodriguez was charged with driving while intoxicated in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Assemblyman-charged-with-DWI-4578914.php|title=Assemblyman charged with DWI|first=Bryan|last=Fitzgerald|date=June 5, 2013|website=timesunion.com}}