Leonard Katzman’s last meeting as a member of the Portsmouth Town Council was Tuesday night.

LOUIS WALKER III

In every endeavor of my life, Jhodi has given me her unwavering support and — most importantly — her unconditional love.”

Leonard Katzman on his wife of more than 40 years, Jhodi Redlich

PORTSMOUTH — In a brief but emotional address Tuesday night, Leonard Katzman resigned his seat on the Town Council in order to provide “care and support and love” to his wife of more than 40 years, Jhodi Redlich.

“A little over two weeks ago, Jhodi had a seizure and was rushed by Portsmouth EMTs to Rhode Island Hospital,” Katzman, a Democrat and the council’s vice president, announced near the end of the meeting. “These past weeks have been a maelstrom — brain surgery, doctors, tests. Last Thursday we learned that Jhodi is diagnosed with a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma.”

Katzman said it’s been a “great privilege” to serve his constituents on the council over the years. “I do not take that trust for granted and I feel that I owe the people of Portsmouth an explanation for my resignation, as I have sought to explain all my council decisions,” he said.

Katzman first got involved in public service in 2003, when he volunteered to serve on the Charter Review Committee, meeting other people who shared his values and cared about the town, he said.

“They suggested I should run for Town Council. So 20 years ago in June of 2004, I told my wife, Jhodi Redlich, that I wanted to run, and Jhodi enthusiastically supported me,” Katzman said. “Since then, Jhodi has supported me without exception or complaint through political campaigns every two years since 2004, and through countless long nights spent here in council meetings instead of at home.”

His wife’s unwavering support didn’t stop at public service, he said. 

“When I wanted to make a career change to leave the field of computer software and go to law school, Jhodi supported me. When I wanted to quit my job with no new job lined up, in order to spend all my time studying for the bar exam, Jhodi supported me and together we took that leap of faith.

“In every endeavor of my life,” Katzman said, pausing for a few seconds to regain his composure, “Jhodi has given me her unwavering support and — most importantly — her unconditional love.”

That love is mutual, he said.

“I love Jhodi, she loves me. We met when we were teenagers. Married over 40 years now, we were meant to be,” Katzman said. “So, as we adjourn tonight, I resign from the Portsmouth Town Council, that I can give to Jhodi my care and support and love, as together we face each next day as it comes. Thank you, all.”

Council member Keith Hamilton said he wished Katzman and Redlich the best of luck going forward. “Cancer is an awful disease, and God I hope someday we find a cure for all these awful diseases,” he said.

Fellow council member J. Mark Ryan thanked Katzman for sharing something “so deeply personal with this council” and telling citizens why he’s stepping down. “It’s a very personal and very difficult thing to impart to a large group of people. We’re all very thankful for your service,” he said.

What comes next

The vacancy on the council will most likely be filled through a council appointment in advance of the November election. The Democrats still have a 4-2 majority on the council.

Katzman himself was appointed to fill an unexpired term, by a 3-2 vote in October 2021, after fellow Democrat Michael Buddemeyer resigned due to a job commitment. Katzman had narrowly lost his council seat in 2020, but was elected again in 2022.