How Old is the 194th Massachusetts General Court?

Written By Arianna Cusick

When we think about the Massachusetts Legislature, it’s easy to focus on policies, party lines, and leadership battles. But one key factor that shapes governance—often overlooked—is the age of our legislators. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age in Massachusetts is 40, while the average age of elected officials across both chambers is 53. This raises important questions about representation, generational perspectives, and the balance between the wisdom of experience and the innovation of fresh ideas.

The Ages Behind the Legislature

The 194th General Court has an average Senate age of 54 and an average House age of 53. This is only a slight uptick from the previous General Court, which had an average age of 53. While the difference may seem small, it reflects a broader reality: Massachusetts legislators consistently skew older than the constituents they serve.

The Over-60 Contingent

A significant portion of lawmakers in the Commonwealth are over 60 years old. In the Senate, 43% have surpassed this threshold, with 20% over 65. The House trends slightly younger, with 26% over 60 and 18% over 65.

This concentration of older lawmakers brings undeniable advantages — they offer decades of experience and deep institutional knowledge. However, it also raises an important question: Do younger generations have adequate representation in the legislature? 

The Youngest Members

Despite the overall older makeup, younger voices are slowly making their way into the halls of the State House. In Massachusetts, the minimum age to serve in the House of Representatives and Senate is 18. The youngest member of the Mass. Legislature is currently 24.  

In the Senate, the youngest members are:

Over in the House, the five youngest representatives include:

Millennials are becoming a growing force in Massachusetts politics, and even the first hints of Gen Z representation are beginning to emerge. 

The Oldest Members

On the other end of the spectrum, some legislators have been serving for decades and bring a wealth of experience in policymaking. 

The five oldest members in the Senate are:

In the House, the oldest members are:

A Generational Breakdown

Looking at the legislature by generation reveals some interesting trends. 

This distribution means that while younger voices are entering the conversation, Boomers (born, 1946-1964) and Gen X (born, 1965-1980) still hold the majority of legislative seats. Given that Gen Z (born 1997-2012) will make up an increasing share of the voting population in the coming years, it will be interesting to see whether the legislature’s age composition begins to reflect that shift.

Party and Age

Age also varies slightly by party affiliation. Among Senators: 

  • Democrats average 58 years old.

  • Republicans average 55 years old. 

In the House:

  • Democrats average 57 years old.

  • Republicans average 56 years old.

  • The sole Independent is 56 years old.

While the differences aren’t drastic, Democrats in both chambers tend to be slightly older on average than their Republican counterparts.

Senior Legislators Staying On

While 12 older legislators chose to retire last session, many opted for reelection. In the Senate, seven senators aged 71 to 81 returned, including prominent leaders like Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland, 72). Over in the House, 10 representatives aged 68 to 82 stayed on, including House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy, 77). 

Their continued presence ensures continuity and experience in governance, but it also means that opportunities for younger politicians to rise through the ranks may be more limited.

Why This Matters

The Massachusetts General Court is evolving, with its ranks both aging and welcoming younger members, making age a significant factor in understanding a legislator’s priorities — just as important as party affiliation. When engaging with a member of the Legislature, considering their age alongside their tenure and professional background can provide insights in the issues they care about most.  For example, senior members are likely to prioritize topics like retirement and healthcare, while younger legislators may be more focused on climate change, education reform, and workforce development. 

Researching lawmakers’ legislative histories, committee assignments, and sponsored/co-sponsored bills using MassTrac can help you tailor your approach to align with their priorities. Additionally, digging into their biography — such as the previous professions — can provide even more context. For instance, If a legislator spent decades as a teacher, you can elevate the conversation around education reform by leveraging their experience and skipping over the foundational details. 

Curious about who represents you and how they’re shaping priorities on Beacon Hill? MassTrac is your go-to resource for tracking the issues, votes, and decisions that matter the most. If you’re interested in learning more, sign up for a free trial, or book a training session with our team.

Arianna Cusick
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How Massachusetts Legislators' Backgrounds Shape Their Advocacy