Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo has disclosed that he is negotiating job opportunities with Northeastern University. Speaker DeLeo’s Office released the following statement last Friday, Dec. 18: “Today I filed a disclosure letter with the House Clerk and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission to disclose that I intend to begin negotiating prospective employment opportunities with Northeastern University. As of today, I have not personally had any discussions with anyone from Northeastern University relative to any possible employment opportunities. “On December 16, 2020, I requested that my personal legal counsel contact the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission to discuss my status and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Conflict of Interest Law. Although, based on my current status, a disclosure is not currently required I have nevertheless elected to disclose my intention to begin negotiating prospective employment opportunities with Northeastern University out of an abundance of caution. “As such, and while I know of no matter, particular matter or general legislation presently before me in my official role that would affect Northeastern University, I filed the disclosure to dispel any appearance of conflict pursuant to G.L. c. 268A, s. 23(b)(3).” As one would expect, the news of the state’s most powerful Democrat’s decision to pursue a position at Northeastern set off a media frenzy. DeLeo was the lead story on all of Boston’s TV news shows and has been featured prominently in the daily editions of the Boston Globe and Boston Herald newspapers. The Speaker DeLeo-to-Northeastern University story was the talk of the town in the two communities – Revere and Winthrop – that he has so ably represented in the Nineteenth Suffolk District since taking office in 1990. He has been the Speaker of the House since 2009, the longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Commonwealth. DeLeo has been a champion on many important issues – municipal health reform, economic development, education, a nation-leading gun safety law, opioid addiction, domestic violence, veterans’ benefits, and clean energy – during his legislative career. Many organizations and programs, such as the Winthrop and Revere Chambers of Commerce, early-education and childcare, and the school districts have benefited from his leadership and his ability to bring home state funding for local projects. “I think Bob DeLeo is the best speaker of the house in our state’s history,” said Revere Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto. “He’s had our back on Beacon Hill. He has a tremendous record representing the City of Revere. He’s done so much for us. Just to have a Speaker representing your hometown is a very big deal and he was very good to Revere. His legacy will go down as one of the greatest speakers, I think, for what he accomplished in so many different areas.” DeLeo’s popularity in both communities and statewide has been unmatched in the annals of Massachusetts politics. The charismatic Speaker’s many appearances on the WCVB-TV show, “On The Record” have generated the highest ratings. Despite his many statewide obligations as Speaker, DeLeo always attended events and gatherings such as Chamber of Commerce awards dinners and installations for local organizations. And while he has rooted for both teams in the annual Revere-Winthrop Thanksgiving football games, DeLeo’s support of the Winthrop Vikings is legendary in the town. His knowledge of high school sports history is extraordinary. DeLeo’s decision to pursue a position at Northeastern generated brisk political movement in that five candidates have emerged in a potential race for DeLeo’s seat. The five candidates considering a run at this time for the seat are Revere Director of Veterans Services Marc Silvestri, Democratic State Committeeman Juan Pablo Jaramillo, Revere Beach Partnership President and former Winthrop Town Council President Jeffrey Turco, Winthrop School Committee member Valentino Capobianco, and Democratic State Committeewoman Alicia DelVento. Following are the statements of the five potential candidates for state representative: