Felix G. Arroyo

Felix G. Arroyo is an American political figure from Boston. Arroyo was elected to an at-large seat on the Boston City Council in November 2009, and re-elected in November 2011, serving for two terms before unsuccessfully running for Mayor of Boston in 2013. He subsequently served as the city's Chief of Health and Human Services from 2014 until his dismissal in 2017 following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

WWW forwardwithfelix.com

Early life

Arroyo is the son of former Boston City Councilor Felix D. Arroyo. He attended Boston public schools and is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Boston. He also earned a master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to being elected to the Boston City Council, Arroyo served as a field director at Northeast Action and Political Director for the Service Employees International Union Local 615.

Political career

When he was twenty, Arroyo started working as the director of constituent services for Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner.

Boston City Council

Arroyo was an at-large member of the Boston City Council from January 2010 to January 2014. During his time on the City Council, he developed legislation called "Invest in Boston" to invest Boston's money in banks that invest in Boston to help promote economic development. He led the effort on the council to save thousands of youth summer jobs and prevent the closures of libraries. In partnership with fellow councilor Michael P. Ross, Arroyo attempted to have the city to cancel contracts with companies based in the state of Arizona after Arizona adopted Arizona SB 1070 in 2010. Arroyo did not seek reelection to the council in 2013, instead seeking election as mayor.

Mayoral run

In April 2013, Arroyo announced his candidacy for the Boston mayoral election. He officially kicked off his campaign on June 15, at Villa Victoria. Arroyo lost in the September preliminary election, having received 9,888 votes and finishing fifth in a field of 12, where the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election.
After being eliminated, he endorsed Marty Walsh in the general election.

Chief of Health and Human Services

In January 2014, Mayor Marty Walsh named Arroyo as the Chief of Health and Human Services for Boston. Arroyo was the first Cabinet-level position announced by the newly elected mayor. Walsh cited Arroyo's ability to bring people together and work collaboratively, as well as his understanding of the importance of addressing the needs of Boston's most vulnerable population.

Sexual harassment investigation and litigation

On July 28, 2017, Arroyo was placed on paid administrative leave from his position at the Boston Department of Health. On August 24, 2017, a spokesperson for Mayor Walsh announced that Arroyo had been fired after a "comprehensive investigation" into sexual harassment allegations. Arroyo's accuser initially filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ; that complaint was withdrawn in November 2017, in lieu of a civil suit against Arroyo and the City of Boston filed in March 2018. In August 2020, Arroyo filed suit against the City of Boston and Mayor Walsh alleging breach of contract, negligence, and defamation. A May 2024 trial scheduled for the civil suit brought by Arroyo's accuser was not held due to the parties reaching an agreement—in July 2024, The Boston Globe reported that the City of Boston had agreed to a $1 million settlement with Arroyo's accuser in exchange for litigation being dropped. A defamation countersuit filed by Arroyo against his accuser was not affected, and is scheduled for trial in June 2025.

Personal life

Arroyo is a lifelong Bostonian, born in the South End, raised in Hyde Park, and a graduate of the Boston Public Schools. He lives in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. In addition to his father having previously served on the Boston City Council as an at-large member, his brother Ricardo Arroyo was the councillor for District 5 from January 2020 to January 2024., Arroyo's LinkedIn profile listed his occupation as Chief Operating Officer at El Mundo Boston, a Latino media outlet.