Karyn Polito facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Karyn Polito
Polito in 2023
72nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 8, 2015 – January 5, 2023
Governor	Charlie Baker
Preceded by	Tim Murray
Succeeded by	Kim Driscoll
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 11th Worcester district
In office January 8, 2001 – January 8, 2011
Preceded by	Ronald Gauch
Succeeded by	Matthew Beaton
Personal details
Born	Karyn Ellen Polito (1966-11-11) November 11, 1966 (age 58) Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Stephan Rodolakis
Children	2
Education	Boston College (BS) New England School of Law (JD)

Karyn Ellen Polito (born November 11, 1966) is an American lawyer and businesswoman. She served as the 72nd lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Polito was also a State Representative for the 11th Worcester district from 2001 to 2011.

Polito was first elected lieutenant governor in 2014. She ran alongside Charlie Baker, who became governor. They were re-elected in 2018 but decided not to run again in 2022.

Early Life and Education

Karyn Polito grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and has lived there her whole life. She went to Holy Name Central Catholic High School.

After high school, she studied at Boston College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988. She then went on to study law at New England Law, where she earned her law degree in 1991.

Career in Politics and Business

As a lawyer, Karyn Polito also helps run a company that develops commercial real estate. This means they build or improve properties for businesses.

Polito has been involved in politics for a long time. She was a member of the Shrewsbury Town Meeting from 1993 to 2000. She also served on the Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals, which makes decisions about land use, from 1994 to 1995. From 1995 to 1998, she was a selectman in Shrewsbury. Selectmen are elected officials who help manage local government.

From 1999 to 2000, Polito was the commissioner of the Massachusetts Lottery. This role involves overseeing the state's lottery games. In 1998, she ran for the Massachusetts Senate but did not win the election.

Serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives

In 2000, Polito was elected as a State Representative for the 11th district of Worcester. This district includes her hometown of Shrewsbury and parts of Westborough.

As a State Representative, she helped make laws for Massachusetts. She served in this role from 2001 to 2011. During her time, she won every election without anyone running against her.

Running for State Treasurer in 2010

In 2010, Karyn Polito decided to run for the office of treasurer and receiver-general of Massachusetts. This person manages the state's money.

She was the only Republican candidate for this position. Polito lost the election to the Democratic candidate, Steve Grossman. However, she received the most votes of any Republican running for a statewide office in Massachusetts that year.

Becoming Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts

2014 Campaign for Lieutenant Governor

Polito during her first term in 2015

In December 2013, Polito announced she would run for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. The leading Republican candidate for Governor, Charlie Baker, supported her. She did not have any opponents in the Republican primary election in September 2014.

Baker and Polito won the 2014 election for governor and lieutenant governor. They defeated the Democratic candidates, Martha Coakley and Steve Kerrigan.

2018 Re-election Campaign

In August 2018, Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito officially started their campaign to be re-elected. Both won their Republican primary elections easily, with Polito running unopposed again.

Baker and Polito then faced Democratic challengers Jay Gonzalez and Quentin Palfrey in the main election. The Baker/Polito team won by a large number of votes, continuing their work for the state.

Key Issues and Political Stance

Karyn Polito is known as a Republican who holds moderate social views. This means she might have more flexible opinions on social issues compared to some other Republicans. However, she is generally conservative on most other topics, like how the government spends money.

"On the Issues," a group that tracks politicians' stances, calls her a "Moderate Conservative." Polito did not vote for President Donald Trump in 2016 and said she did not support his re-election.

Here are some of her positions on important issues:

• She has supported term limits, which means limiting how long someone can serve in office. She also wanted to end state pensions for elected officials.
• Polito has been in favor of cutting state taxes.
• She received high ratings from groups that support gun rights, like the Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL) and the NRA Political Victory Fund.
• In 2007, as a State Representative, Polito voted for a change to the state's constitution that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. However, she did support civil unions for same-sex couples. Later, in 2013, Polito changed her view and publicly supported same-sex marriage.
• Polito was against President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the southern border of the United States.

Personal Life

Karyn Polito lives in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, with her husband, Stephan M. Rodolakis. They have two children. Her husband is also a lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy cases.

See also

• List of female lieutenant governors in the United States