Who Represents You: State Level
Governor
Governors act as the chief executive officer and commander-in-chief in their respective state. They are responsible for the implementation of state laws and overseeing the operation of the state’s executive branch. The powers of governors include the power to commute or pardon a criminal sentence, veto state bills, and presenting an annual State of the State address, but specifics may vary from state to state depending on that state’s Constitution. Most governors, except for those from New Hampshire and Vermont, serve four year terms.
Charlie Baker (R) — Baker, elected in 2015, has adopted a ‘get stuff done’ approach to build state government using partnerships to spur economic development and critical tax relief through the Earned Income Tax Credit. These efforts have created more than 200,000 jobs since 2015. Baker signed four budgets investing in K-12 education, is taking steps to make public colleges more affordable, and expanded community college scholarship funding. He has also signed two major bills to fight the ongoing opioid and heroin epidemic.
Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governors are the highest officers of state after the governor and stand in for that officer when they are absent. In over half of states, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on the same ticket and thus come from the same political party. This position is similar to the vice president of the United States on a state level. Lieutenant governors are the only officials with specific duties and power in two branches of state government: executive and legislative branches. They serve as a speaker to the Senate in addition to serving in the governor’s cabinet.
Karyn E. Polito (R) — Polito was sworn in for a second term in 2019. Her first term focused on moving Massachusetts forward through bi-partisan leadership. She has worked on increasing STEM education and helping coastal communities address economic and environmental challenges. In addition, she has worked on the Housing Choice Initiative to improve housing development and the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to address the impacts of climate change.
Secretary of the Commonwealth
The secretary of the commonwealth is the principal public information official in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The secretary oversees historical records and preservation, public records, and the registry of deeds.
William Francis Galvin (D) — Galvin is currently serving his seventh consecutive term after winning reelection every election since 1998. Galvin has been an active participant in the National Association of Secretaries of State, serving first as chairman of the Standing Committee on Securities, then as co-chairman of the Committee on Presidential Primaries. Secretary Galvin notably refused to provide the information requested on registered voters by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity created by President Trump.
MA State Senate
The Senate is composed of 40 members and led by the president of the senate who is elected by the members of the body at the beginning of each two-year legislative session. Each senator is elected to represent a district of approximately 159,000 people. The Senate meets every 72 hours, as required by the Massachusetts Constitution, to consider legislation.
MA Senate President
Karen Spilka (D) — In addition to being State Senate President, Karen Spilka is the State Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district. Some of Spilka’s career highlights include co-authoring a bill that increases access to capital for small businesses so that they can hire more workers and advocating for a provision in the education reform bill that will increase quality in public school funding.
MA State Senator
Patricia D Jehlen (D) (MA Senate 2nd Middlesex, Medford, Somerville Wds. 6, 7) — First elected in 2005, Jehlen formerly served in the MA house of Representatives. Jehlen’s priorities include wage justice for direct care workers, a living wage, developing a fairer tax structure, and the creation of affordable housing.
MA House of Representatives
The MA House of Representative is comprised of 160 members, each representing a specific geographic district of one of the 14 counties in MA. The MA House and Senate comprise the legislative branch of state government. The House passes bills, sets levels for state spending, and can vote to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
MA House Speaker
Ronald Mariano (D) — Mariano become Speaker of the House following DeLeo’s retirement in 2020. Before coming into politics, Mariano was a teacher in Quincy, the same place he was born and raised. He has voted on bills to create a road-map for climate change policy, diversity the recruitment and reform of the MA State Police, and reform for the public education system.
MA State Representatives
Mike Connolly (D) (26th Middlesex, Somerville Wds. 1, 2) — Connolly was sworn into office in 2016 with a commitment to social and economic justice. His priorities include completing the Green Line Extension Project, passing comprehensive criminal justice reform, and defending reproductive freedom. In addition, Connolly has been advocating for a $15 minimum wage and paid family and medical leave.
Erika Uyterhoeven (D) (27th Middlesex, Somerville Wds. 2-2, 2-3, 3, 5, 6) — Uyterhoeven assumed office in January 2021. Her campaign messages included prioritizing the interests of people over profits, engaging in grassroots movements as a method of progressive change, and fighting for access to basic human rights. Prior to running for office, Uyterhoeven co-founded Act on Mass and worked as an antitrust economist.
Christine P. Barber (D) (34th Middlesex, Medford Wds. 4, 5, 7-1, 8-2; Somerville Wds. 4, 7) — Barber has served as state representative since 2015. Her top three priorities include racial justice, health care equity, and environmental justice. Barber has advocated for immigrant justice — as lead sponsor of a bill that will allow anyone to get a driver’s license regardless of immigration status — and has also advocated for reproductive justice for women, protected services and programs for incarcerated women, promoted bills to limit new natural gas and fossil fuel infrastructure, and has worked to address the affordable housing crisis.
Sean Garballey (D) (23rd Middlesex, Medford Wds 3-2, 6) — Sean Garballey took office in 2009 and is running for re-election on November 3rd, 2020. Garbelley currently serves on the Higher Education Joint Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Joint Committee.
Paul J Donato (D) (35th Middlesex, Medford Wds. 1, 3, 3-1, 7-2, 8-1) — Donato has served as a state representative since 2001. His top two legislative priorities include continuing to allocate resources for COVID-19 to protect and support individuals, families, and businesses, and fully funding the education system. He advocates for an increase in affordable housing and solutions addressing climate change, including achieving net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Councillor
The Governor’s Council is made up of the Lieutenant Governor and eight individuals representing different districts. Members are elected every two years. It meets weekly to advise various entities and on matters related to gubernatorial appointments (for boards, judges, notaries, justices of the peace, etc), the state treasury, and pardons and commutations.
Terrence W. Kennedy (D) (6th district) — Kennedy is a practicing attorney and has served on the Council for over 9 years. When evaluating candidates for the parole board, Kennedy emphasizes the importance of including individuals with backgrounds in psychology and an understanding of addiction and mental health issues. He has advocated for more diversity in judicial appointments and believes in the need for greater transparency and accessibility in the Council’s candidate approval process.
State Auditor
The state auditor conducts audits, investigations, and studies to promote accountability and transparency, improve performance, and make government work better. Since 2011, the Office of the State Auditor has identified over $1.3 billion in improper or questionable spending and missed savings opportunities in the Commonwealth.
Suzzane M. Bump (D)
Treasurer
The State Treasurer mangages and safeguards the state’s public deposits and investments through sound business practices to benefit citizens.
Debora B. Goldberg (D)
Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of MA. They also act as an advocate in areas such as consumer protection, combating fraud and corruption, protecting civil rights, and maintaining economic competition.
Maura Healy (D)
District Attorney
A District Attorney is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. They are elected positions and have several deputies who handle the day-to-day activities of criminal prosecution.
Marian T. Ryan (D) (Middlesex county)
County Sherif
Peter Koutoujian (D) (Middlesex county)