Rod Tam

Rodney H. C. G. Tam[1] (October 3, 1953 – May 15, 2019) was an American businessman and politician from the state of Hawaii.

Rod Tam
Member of the Honolulu City Council from the 6th district
In office
2002–2010
Succeeded byTulsi Gabbard
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
In office
1982–1994
Member of the Hawaii Senate
In office
1992–2002
Personal details
Born
Rodney H. C. G. Tam

October 3, 1953
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
DiedMay 15, 2019(2019-05-15) (aged 65)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa

Biography

Born in Honolulu, Tam attended California State University and Kapiolani Community College. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Career

Tam began his career as a budget and research analyst, and was also involved with the life insurance business. Tam became a Democratic representative of the Hawaii House of Representatives in 1982. Following a twelve-year term, he was appointed as a member of the state's Senate in 1992, serving until 2002.[2] He was elected to the Honolulu city council before leaving office in 2010 in an unsuccessful bid to become the city's mayor.[3]

In 2016, Tam made a return to politics as a Republican,[1] running for the office of the Hawaii Senate representing District 13.[3] He lost the election to Democrat Karl Rhoads, receiving a total of 3,824 (25.1%) votes.[4]

Controversy

In November 2011, Tam pleaded guilty to stealing money from the city and violating campaign spending laws, and sentenced to two days in jail and 338 hours of community service.[5][6]

Death

In January 2019, Tam was diagnosed with leukemia, and died of complications of the disease on May 15, 2019, at the age of 65. He was survived by his wife, Lynette, and their two children.[7][8]

References
  1. "District 13 – Rod Tam (R)". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. July 27, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  2. Votesmart.org.-Rod Tam
  3. Dayton, Kevin (June 7, 2016). "Rod Tam running for state Senate as Republican". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  4. "Hawaii 13th District State Senate Results: Karl Rhoads Wins". The New York Times. August 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  5. Pang, Gordon Y. K. (May 15, 2019). "Hawaii politician Rod Tam dies due to complications from leukemia". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  6. "Former councilmember Rod Tam heading to jail". Hawaii News Now. November 1, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  7. Former Hawaii lawmaker Rod Tam dies
  8. "Rodney H.C.G. Tam, "Rod" Obituary | Honolulu Star-Advertiser". obits.staradvertiser.com. Retrieved 2020-01-22.


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