About Mike

State Representative Michael Rodrigues has spent a lifetime serving the communities of Westport and Fall River through his family business and legislative position. First elected in April of 1996 in a special election, January 2001, Michael was also appointed by Speaker Thomas Finneran as a member to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Michael then served six years as Vice-Chair and two years as Chairman of  the former Joint Committee on Commerce & Labor. In January 2005, Michael was appointed by the new Speaker of the House of Representatives Salvatore M. DiMasi as Chairman of the newly formed Joint Committee on Labor & Workforce Development. In 2007 Representative Rodrigues was appointed as Chairman to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure, created the Legislative Biotechnology Caucus.

Before being elected, Michael ran his family's business, ABC Floor Covering, in Westport. Since being elected, Michael has given up the day-to-day operations of the business in order to perform his legislative duties full-time and be available to his constituents. Michael had been active in Westport's local government through his involvement with the Westport Finance Committee. Michael was a member of the committee for seven years, from 1987-1994, and chairman of the committee from 1992-1994.

He co-founded and incorporated the Westport Community Education Foundation in 1992. Michael continues his involvement with a variety of civic organizations which include: the Westport Lions Club, the Westport Democratic Town Committee, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Westport Business to Business, Massachusetts Legislators Association, Interfaith Council of Greater Fall River, Portuguese American Scholarship Foundation, National Conference of State Legislators, the Portuguese-American Civic League, and Appointed to the State Workforce Investment Board. Michael serves as a member of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Alumni Association Board of Directors, and currently serves as their President.

Michael is an alumnus of University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth ('83) , and serves as a member of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is the immediate past president. In 2005 Rep. Rodrigues was named the UMass Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research recipient for Outstanding Leadership for Small Business Community and in 2006 was awarded the Alumni Service Award. He graduated from Bishop Stang High School in 1977. A lifelong resident of Westport, Michael resides with his wife Patricia and two children, Ian and Mayka on Sanford Road. Michael's personal interests include golf, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Michael has received numerous awards over the past years for his dedication and services. A few of them include, 2000 Legislator of the Year from International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC), and MA Police Association. Appreciation Award from MASS Skills USA-VICA for 2000, 1999 &1998. Legislator Leadership Award from Statewide Coalition for Juvenile Firesetter Program 1999 & 1998. He received the Friends of PACE (Parents Alliance for Catholic Education) Award in 1999, and was named the NAIOP Massachusetts Legislator of the Year in 2006. He was also given a Environmental Leadership Award by the MA Nursery & Landscape Association. In 2005 Rep. Rodrigues was named a Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments. He was also named BIO Legislator of the Year in 2007, and also received Mass Medic’s Legislator of the Year Award in 2006. That year he also received the MA Department of Workforce Development's Outstanding Leadership Legislative Champion Award. Most recently, Michael was presented with a special award from the Massachusetts Bio-Education Foundation.