Rod Tam

Rodney H. C. G. Tam (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 by	Tulsi Gabbard
Member of the Hawaii Senate
In office 1994–2002
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
In office 1982–1994
Personal details
Born	Rodney H. C. G. Tam October 3, 1953 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Died	May 15, 2019(2019-05-15) (aged 65) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Democratic (before 2016)
Alma mater	University of Hawaii at Manoa

Biography

Born in Honolulu, Tam attended California State University and Kapiʻolani Community College. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

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. He was elected to the Honolulu city council before leaving office in 2010 in an unsuccessful bid to become the city's mayor.

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

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.

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.