{{short description|American law professor and mayor of Providence, Rhode Island}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jorge Elorza | image = Providence mayor Jorge Elorza.jpg | caption = Elorza in 2015 | office = 38th [[List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island|Mayor of Providence]] | term_start = January 5, 2015 | term_end = January 2, 2023 | predecessor = [[Angel Taveras]] | successor = [[Brett Smiley (politician)|Brett Smiley]] | birth_name = Jorge O. Elorza | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|11|24}} | birth_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = {{marriage|Stephanie Gonzalez|2019}} | children = 1 | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | education = [[Community College of Rhode Island]]<br />[[University of Rhode Island|University of Rhode Island, Kingston]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Harvard University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) }} '''Jorge O. Elorza''' (born November 24, 1976)<ref name=WPRICampaign>{{cite web |title=Campaign 2014: Providence Mayor |url=http://wpri.com/campaign-2014-providence-mayoral-race |website=WPRI Eyewitness News |publisher=WPRI News |access-date=February 4, 2015 |quote=Born: 24 Nov. 1976}}</ref> is an American law professor who served as the mayor of [[Providence, Rhode Island]] from 2015 until 2023. He defeated former mayor [[Buddy Cianci]] in the [[2014 Providence, Rhode Island mayoral election|2014 mayoral election]] and on January 5, 2015, was sworn in as mayor of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wpri.com/2015/01/05/jorge-elorza-sworn-in-as-providences-38th-mayor/|title=Jorge Elorza sworn in as Providence's 38th mayor|date=January 5, 2015|access-date=January 5, 2015|publisher=wpri.com|archive-date=January 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105213325/http://wpri.com/2015/01/05/jorge-elorza-sworn-in-as-providences-38th-mayor/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=EWright>{{cite news|last1=Wright|first1=Emily|title=Jorge Elorza Defeats Buddy Cianci in Providence Mayoral Race|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/11/04/jorge-elorza-defeats-buddy-cianci-in-providence-mayoral-race/|access-date=November 5, 2014|publisher=Boston.com|date=November 4, 2014}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Elorza's parents immigrated from [[Guatemala]] in 1975.<ref name=McGowan2 /> Jorge Elorza was born and raised in the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]] of [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref name=BPR /> He attended local public schools, including Asa Messer Elementary School, Bridgham Middle School, and [[Classical High School]].<ref name=WPRICampaign/> The first of his family to attend college, he enrolled at the [[Community College of Rhode Island]] before transferring to the [[University of Rhode Island]].<ref name="warwickonline.com">{{cite web|url=http://warwickonline.com/stories/CCRI-speaker-offers-grads-ways-to-measure-success,15338?print=1|title=CCRI speaker offers grads ways to measure success|work=Warwick Beacon|date=May 24, 2005 |access-date=October 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ccri.edu/alumni/pdfs/GWWinter2015.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 29, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083858/http://www.ccri.edu/alumni/pdfs/GWWinter2015.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> He worked as an auditor for [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]] in New York, and then attended [[Harvard Law School]], where he graduated with a [[Juris Doctor]].<ref name=DMcGowan/><ref name=Lawbio/>
After the death of a hometown friend, Elorza left [[Wall Street]] and returned to Rhode Island.<ref name="warwickonline.com"/> Elorza teaches law at the [[Roger Williams University School of Law]].<ref name=Lawbio>{{cite web|title=Jorge O. Elorza|url=http://law.rwu.edu/jorge-o-elorza|access-date=November 5, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229080130/http://law.rwu.edu/jorge-o-elorza|url-status=dead}} Roger Williams University School of Law.</ref> In 2010 he was appointed to the Providence Housing Court, where he replaced [[Angel Taveras]].<ref name=DMcGowan/>
==Mayor of Providence== The Providence mayoral race in 2014 was Elorza's first try at elective office.<ref name=ProJo042315 /> He was sworn in as mayor on January 5, 2015, on the steps of [[Providence City Hall]].<ref>{{cite news|author1=NBC 10 News|title=Elorza takes office as Providence mayor|url=https://www.turnto10.com/story/27760700/elorza-to-be-sworn-in-as-providence-mayor|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> In his inaugural speech, Elorza promised to deliver "a city that works".<ref name=Projo20160102 />
Early in his first term, Elorza was credited for working closely with the City Council and Governor's office.<ref name=ProJo042315 /> Within his first 100 days he appointed an "innovation officer" to streamline operations and coordinate city activities.<ref name=ProJo042315 /><ref name=Projo20160102 /> He appointed a representative to the city ethics commission for the first time in nine years.<ref name=ProJo042315 /> He also reached out to constituents with a "Twitter Town Hall."<ref name=ProJo042315 />
During his first year in office, Elorza implemented a complaint response system which generated responses to a backlog of thousands of unanswered complaints to the city.<ref name=Projo20160102 /> City Hall employees have been required to take customer-service training.<ref name=Projo20160102 /> New contracts were reached with the City Hall and Public Works and Parks Department unions.<ref name=Projo20160102 /> A program was set up to take control of abandoned houses, and turn them over to buyers who will fix them.<ref name=Projo20160102 /> Elorza also created an anti-prostitution effort known as "Operation Backpage", which has arrested several dozen men for solicitation.<ref name=Projo20160102 />
On September 12, 2018, Elorza won renomination to the Mayor's office over challengers Kobi Dennis and Robert DeRobbio.<ref name= "nom2">{{cite news |url= https://www.wpri.com/news/elections/elorza-wins-democratic-nomination-for-providence-mayor/1438314544 |title=Elorza wins Democratic nomination for Providence mayor |work=[[WPRI]]|date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018}}</ref> He subsequently won the [[2018 Providence, Rhode Island mayoral election|general election]].
===Budget=== Elorza's government faced a budget shortfall during his first year.<ref name=Projo20160102 /> However, in October 2016, Elorza announced a $9.5 million budget surplus for the 2015–2016 budget year.<ref name="Projo20161031">{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=John|title=Mayor Elorza says Providence will end year with $9.5 million surplus|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161031/mayor-elorza-says-providence-will-end-year-with-95-million-surplus|access-date=November 3, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=October 31, 2016}}</ref> This was Providence's largest surplus in at least 20 years.<ref name="Projo20161031" /> Critics claimed the surplus was partly due to not hiring needed police and firefighters.<ref name="Projo20161031" />
===Firefighters union=== Elorza faced a long fight with the city's firefighters union over schedule changes.<ref name=Projo20160102 /> In September 2016, after 13 months of lawsuits, arbitration, and sometimes nasty public exchanges, Elorza and the president of the union finally came to an agreement.<ref name="ProJo20160912">{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=John|title=Providence firefighters, city reach tentative deal on contract|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160912/providence-firefighters-city-reach-tentative-deal-on-contract|access-date=September 13, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=September 12, 2016}}</ref>
===Parking meters=== Elorza presided over an expansion of new, high-tech parking meters in Providence.<ref name="ProJo20160906" /> Between January 2015 and September 2016, Elorza's administration increased the number of metered parking spaces by 50 percent, from 1,400 to 2,100.<ref name="ProJo20160906" /> Critics of the plan say that the meters hurt local business, and that the reduced tax revenue from businesses hurt by the meters is greater than the increased revenue from the parking fees.<ref name="ProJo20160906" />
==="One Providence" initiative=== Following the November [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 Presidential election]], Elorza established the "One Providence" initiative to respond to reports of increased hate crimes against Muslims, LGBTQ people, and minorities in Providence.<ref name="ProJo20161122">{{cite news|last1=Ziner|first1=Karen Lee|title=Providence mayor signs executive order creating Muslim advisory board|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161122/providence-mayor-signs-executive-order-creating-muslim-advisory-board|access-date=December 8, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=November 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ProJo20161208">{{cite news|last1=Ziner|first1=Karen Lee|title=Elorza announces new hot line to report hate crimes|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161207/elorza-announces-new-hot-line-to-report-hate-crimes|access-date=December 8, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> The initiative includes a new "hotline" to report crime,<ref name="ProJo20161208" /> and the establishment of a Muslim-American advisory board.<ref name="ProJo20161122" /> The initiative was established to "protect and serve every resident of the city" without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion or disability.<ref name="ProJo20161122" /> While the mayor vowed to protect undocumented immigrants from attempts at unfair deportation by the Trump administration,<ref name="ProJo20161122" /> he said he has no plans to establish Providence as a "[[sanctuary city]]."<ref name="ProJo20161114">{{cite news|last1=Reynolds|first1=Mark|title=Mayor Elorza: No plan to turn Providence into 'sanctuary city'|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161114/mayor-elorza-no-plan-to-turn-providence-into-sanctuary-city|access-date=December 8, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>
===Environmental initiatives=== [[File:Bike the Night with Mayor Elorza.jpg|thumb|right|Mayor Elorza addresses riders before the start of his quarterly "Bike the Night" ride through Providence.]] In 2016, Elorza set a goal of reaching [[carbon neutrality]] by 2050.<ref name="ProJo20170709">{{cite news|last1=Kuffner|first1=Alex|title=Providence commits to reach carbon-neutral goal by 2050|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160421/providence-commits-to-reach-carbon-neutral-goal-by-2050|access-date=July 9, 2017|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=April 21, 2016}}</ref> Elorza is a supporter of improving the city's biking infrastructure, and in 2017 a new greenway opened in [[Roger Williams Park]].<ref name="ProMo201707">{{cite news|last1=Curley|first1=Bob|title=Building a More Bikeable Providence|url=https://providenceonline.com/stories/providence-cycling-bike-infrastructure,23923,23923/p/stories/cycle-the-city-providence-monthly,23970|access-date=July 9, 2017|publisher=Providence Monthly|date=June 22, 2017}}</ref> Elorza leads a quarterly bicycle ride through Providence called "Bike the Night" to highlight the city's [[cycling infrastructure]].<ref name="ProMo201707" />
In 2017, the city signed a $400,000 contract with a private Silicon Valley company to introduce the first [[Bicycle-sharing system|bicycle sharing program]] to the city, supported by local hospitals and RIPTA.<ref name="JumpBikes1">{{cite news |last1=Amaral |first1=Brian |title=Watchdog Team: Company behind Jump bikes was stunned by level of vandalism in Providence |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200520/watchdog-team-company-behind-jump-bikes-was-stunned-by-level-of-vandalism-in-providence |access-date=May 21, 2020 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521072109/https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200520/watchdog-team-company-behind-jump-bikes-was-stunned-by-level-of-vandalism-in-providence |archive-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> Despite the system being popular enough to expand in April 2019,<ref name="JumpBikes2">{{cite news |last1=List |first1=Madeleine |title=JUMP on a roll: Providence adding 700 more bikes for rent |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190401/jump-on-roll-providence-adding-700-more-bikes-for-rent |access-date=June 10, 2020 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=April 1, 2019}}</ref> in summer 2019 a new model of bike was introduced with a less secure lock and the price of a ride increased 450%.<ref name="JumpBikes3">{{cite news |last1=August |first1=Harry |title=Providence riders dismayed at leaping cost of JUMP bike rentals |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190715/providence-riders-dismayed-at-leaping-cost-of-jump-bike-rentals |access-date=June 10, 2020 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=July 15, 2019}}</ref> This led to the bicycles becoming associated with a "wave of vandalism and criminal activity" including widespread thefts of bicycles, bikes tossed into the Providence river, and even a company tech held at gunpoint.<ref name="JumpBikes1" /> The company paused the program in August 2019 and suspended service indefinitely in June 2020.<ref name="JumpBikes1" />
[[File:Providence mayor Jorge Elorza with bicycle.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Elorza addresses a [[Bike-to-Work Day]] gathering in [[Burnside Park, Providence, Rhode Island|Burnside Park]], May 15, 2015.]] In January 2020, Elorza unveiled a "Great Streets" initiative to create a framework of public space improvements to encourage walking, riding bicycles, and public transit.<ref name="GSP1">{{cite web |title=City of Providence Unveils Final Great Streets Plan |url=https://www.providenceri.gov/city-providence-unveils-final-great-streets-plan/ |website=City of Providence |date=January 27, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> The plan includes establishing an "Urban Trail Network" which includes 60 miles of bicycle paths, bike lanes, and greenways within Providence.<ref name="GSP2">{{cite news |title=Providence Unveils Plan for 'Great Streets' |url=https://www.ecori.org/transportation/2020/1/28/providence-unveils-plan-for-great-streets |access-date=May 21, 2020 |publisher=Eco RI News |date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513145101/https://www.ecori.org/transportation/2020/1/28/providence-unveils-plan-for-great-streets |archive-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref>
===Unified Vision plan=== Elorza's Providence Unified Vision public space project was introduced in July 2021.<ref name="Marani" /> The plan includes redesigns of [[Kennedy Plaza]] and the riverfront.<ref name="Marani" /> Included in the plan are public rest rooms, walkways, riverfront improvements, green landscaping, a cafe, and performance space.<ref name="Marani">{{cite news |last1=Marani |first1=Matthew |title=Providence, Rhode Island, and Arup reveal final design for Unified Vision public space project |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2021/07/providence-and-arup-reveal-final-design-for-unified-vision-public-space-project/ |publisher=The Architects Newspaper |date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716175709/https://www.archpaper.com/2021/07/providence-and-arup-reveal-final-design-for-unified-vision-public-space-project/ |archive-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref>
=== Reparations === In July 2020, in response to the [[Black Lives Matter]] protests following the [[murder of George Floyd]], Mayor Elorza signed an executive order meant to start a city [[truth commission]], intending to atone for Providence's role in [[slavery in the United States|Black slavery]], [[institutional racism]], and the mistreatment of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]].<ref>List, Madeleine. [https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2020/07/16/providence-mayor-signs-order-to-pursue-truth-reparations-for-black-indigenous-people/42496067/ "Providence mayor signs order to pursue truth, reparations for Black, Indigenous people,"] ''Providence Journal'' (July 16, 2020).</ref> In June 2021, Elorza was one of 11 U.S. mayors who formed [[Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity]] (MORE), a coalition of municipal leaders dedicated to starting pilot [[Reparations for slavery in the United States|reparations]] programs in their cities.<ref name=NPR>[https://www.npr.org/2021/06/18/1008242159/11-u-s-mayors-commit-to-developing-pilot-projects-for-reparations "11 U.S. Mayors Commit To Developing Pilot Projects For Reparations,"] ''Associated Press'' (June 18, 2021)</ref> In March 2022, Elorza signed an executive order creating the 13-member Providence Municipal Reparations Commission.<ref>Gaffney, Austyn. [https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/providence-pursues-next-steps-toward-reparations/620233/ "Providence pursues next steps toward reparations,"] ''Smart Cities Dive'' (March 11, 2022).</ref><ref>Marceo, Philip. [https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-native-americans-rhode-island-providence-f8825c2179f36b13bbead2f9e99e9c85 "Providence mayor forms reparations commission,"] ''Associated Press'' (February 28, 2022).</ref> In August 2022, after receiving the commission's report and recommendations, Mayor Elorza proposed a $10 million reparations spending plan for the city.<ref>Marcelo, Philip. [https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-discrimination-race-and-ethnicity-e29900091caf2272dc861a3711d9891b "Rhode Island mayor proposes $10M reparations spending plan,"] ''Associated Press'' (August 25, 2022).</ref>
==Personal life== Elorza is an avid cyclist and fitness enthusiast.<ref name=ProJo042315 /> He frequently commutes by bicycle from his home in [[Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island|Olneyville]] to City Hall.<ref name=ProJo042315 /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Blanchette|first1=Matt|title=Mayor Elorza bikes to work daily|url=http://www.abc6.com/story/29074919/mayor-elorza-bikes-to-work-daily|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520130125/http://www.abc6.com/story/29074919/mayor-elorza-bikes-to-work-daily|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2015|publisher=ABC 6 News|date=May 15, 2015|quote=Elorza rides to work nearly every single day from his home in Olneyville.}}</ref>
In August 2019, Elorza married Stephanie Gonzalez, a former [[Central Falls, Rhode Island|Central Falls]] city council member.<ref name="wedding">{{cite news |title=Providence's first family |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190810/providences-first-family |access-date=August 18, 2019 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=August 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Providence mayor engaged to former Central Falls city councilor |url=https://www.newportri.com/news/20180613/providence-mayor-engaged-to-former-central-falls-city-councilor |access-date=May 6, 2019 |publisher=Newport RI dot com |date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> The pair had a son in June 2018.<ref name="wedding" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=List |first1=Madeline |title=A baby boy for Providence mayor, former Central Falls councilwoman |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180629/baby-boy-for-providence-mayor-former-central-falls-councilwoman |access-date=May 6, 2019 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=June 29, 2018}}</ref>
After finishing his term as mayor, Elorza was appointed, in 2023, to lead [[Democrats for Education Reform]], a political advocacy organization which focuses on encouraging the Democratic Party to support public education reform and [[charter schools]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Bernal | first=Rafael | title=Former Providence mayor to lead Democratic education group | website=The Hill | date=2023-04-03 | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3931205-former-providence-mayor-to-lead-democratic-education-group/ | access-date=2024-09-13}}</ref>
== References == <references> <ref name=BPR>{{cite journal|last1=Abuaita|first1=Alexander|title=BPR Interview: Jorge Elorza|journal=Brown Political Review|date=October 15, 2014|url=http://www.brownpoliticalreview.org/2014/10/bpr-interview-jorge-elorza/|access-date=January 6, 2016}}</ref> <ref name=DMcGowan>{{cite news|last1=McGowan|first1=Dan|title=Democrat Jorge Elorza launches bid for Providence mayor|url=http://wpri.com/2013/11/18/democrat-jorge-elorza-launches-bid-for-providence-mayor/|access-date=November 5, 2014|publisher=WPRI|date=November 18, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105071726/http://wpri.com/2013/11/18/democrat-jorge-elorza-launches-bid-for-providence-mayor/|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name=McGowan2>{{cite news|last1=McGowan|first1=Dan|title=Jorge Elorza sworn in as Providence's 38th mayor|url=http://wpri.com/2015/01/05/jorge-elorza-sworn-in-as-providences-38th-mayor/|access-date=January 6, 2016|publisher=WPRI Eyewitness News|date=January 5, 2015|archive-date=January 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105213325/http://wpri.com/2015/01/05/jorge-elorza-sworn-in-as-providences-38th-mayor/|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name=ProJo042315>{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=John|title=Providence Mayor Elorza's first 100 days get high marks|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150423/NEWS/150429597|access-date=May 15, 2015|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> <ref name=Projo20160102>{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=John|title=Providence's Mayor Elorza showed initiative in 1st year, but problems loom in 2016|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20160102/NEWS/160109837/0/SEARCH|access-date=January 6, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=January 2, 2016}}</ref> <ref name="ProJo20160906">{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=John|title=On Thayer Street in Providence, is the city's busiest parking meter|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160906/on-thayer-street-in-providence-is-citys-busiest-parking-meter|access-date=September 7, 2016|publisher=The Providence Journal|date=September 6, 2016}}</ref> </references>
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Angel Taveras]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island|Mayor of Providence]]|years=2015–2023}} {{s-aft|after=[[Brett Smiley (politician)|Brett Smiley]]}} {{s-end}}
{{Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elorza, Jorge}} [[Category:1976 births]] [[Category:21st-century mayors of places in Rhode Island]] [[Category:American politicians of Guatemalan descent]] [[Category:Classical High School alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Law School alumni]] [[Category:Hispanic and Latino American mayors]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Mayors of Providence, Rhode Island]] [[Category:PwC people]] [[Category:Rhode Island Democrats]] [[Category:Roger Williams University faculty]] [[Category:University of Rhode Island alumni]]