Legislators Not Seeking Reelection in 2024
As we head into the 2024 election cycle, a wave of change is sweeping through as several legislators announce their departure from office. Let's take a closer look at the legislators bidding farewell, their legacies, and what to anticipate in the upcoming elections.
House Departures:
Rep. Dylan Fernandes (Democrat - Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District):
Next Move: Running for Plymouth and Barnstable Senate seat.
Legacy: Current House Vice Chair of Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Announcement: Dec. 4, 2023.
Fernandes has served in the legislature since 2017, where he has focused on combatting climate change, advancing housing that people can afford, addressing the opioid epidemic, and alleviating the mental health crisis. Fernandes is running to replace Sen. Susan Moran, who is leaving to seek a county position.
Rep. Sarah Peake (Democrat - 4th Barnstable District):
Next Move: Retiring after 18 years.
Legacy: House Second Assistant Majority Leader (2021-2024).
Announcement: Jan. 19, 2024.
After 18 years of serving her district, Peake stated it is time for a new generation to lead in public policy, and is thus retiring. Peake led on housing initiatives, rural transportation issues, environmental legislation, and civil rights. Over her tenure, she had taken leadership to create the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection fund, which aids in lowering costs of sewer projects in the area. In addition to this, she took charge in helping finance cultural organizations such as the Fine Arts Work Center to the Harwich Junior Theatre.
Rep. Daniel Carey (Democrat - 2nd Hampshire District):
Next Move: Running for Hampshire County Clerk of Courts.
Legacy: Current Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.
Announcement: Jan. 21, 2024.
Every year, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) recognizes a state legislator in their investment to Massachusetts public schools as well as students and families. In 2023, State Representative Daniel Carey was named Legislator of the Year. Carey served on the Joint Committee on Education when the Student Opportunity Act passed. This act ushered in a new phase in the Commonwealth's commitment to ensuring that every student in the state experiences high-quality learning opportunities that lead to K-12 and post-secondary success.
Rep. Mathew Muratore (Republican - 1st Plymouth District):
Next Move: Running for Plymouth and Barnstable Senate seat.
Legacy: Serves on the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the Healthcare Finance, Community Development and Small Businesses, and Municipalities and Regional Government Committees.
Announcement: Jan. 23, 2024.
Muratore has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2015 and has decided to run for Sen. Su Moran’s seat in the Senate. He believes his background in small business, budgeting, town government, elder care, and child care will be beneficial to the higher chamber.
Rep. Gerard Cassidy (Democrat - 9th Plymouth District):
Next Move: Retiring after 8 years.
Legacy: Current Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
Announcement: Jan. 31, 2024.
Cassidy served in the 9th Plymouth district for four terms while making a long-lasting impact on his community’s development and infrastructure projects. Cassidy was a long-time aide to the late Sen. Tom Kennedy. Cassidy has been responsible for implementation of the HERO Act, protecting veterans and their benefits, by expanding access to behavioral health treatment, increasing benefits for disabled veterans, and codifying medical and dental benefits.
Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli (Democrat - 3rd Berkshire District):
Next Move: Not a retirement, but a change.
Legacy: Current House vice chair of Rules Committee.
Announcement: Feb. 6, 2024.
First elected in 2002, Smitty Pignatelli has served in the legislature for 22 years.Due to his seniority, he serves as the de facto dean of the Berkshire region’s three-member legislative delegation. Since the beginning of his tenure, he has been dedicated to ensuring Massachusetts has been a leader in granting rights to same-sex couples. Pignatelli is a major supporter of investments in the commuter rail connection of Western Mass. to Boston, as well as expanding high-speed internet in rural areas.
Rep. Ruth Balser (Democrat - 12th Middlesex District):
Next Move: Retirement after 25 years in the House.
Legacy: Current House Third Division chair (2023-2025).
Announcement: Feb. 9, 2024.
First elected in 1998, Balser’s departure will put a gap in House Speaker Ron Mariano’s leadership team. Balser brought her past skills as a psychologist into pushing out improved policies for mental health such as the act relative to the treatment of the mentally ill in prisons.
Rep. Denise Garlick (Democrat - 13th Norfolk District):
Next Move: Pursuing a "new chapter in my life."
Legacy: Current House Chair of Joint Committee on Education.
Announcement: Feb. 12, 2024.
Garlick is a registered nurse who has also served as President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. She is heavily involved in disability rights and has had confrontations on the House floor on allowing certified nursing assistants to administer medication to long-term care facility residents.
Rep. Paul Schmid III (Democrat - 8th Bristol):
Legacy: First to Chair the new Joint Committee on Agriculture
Announcement: Feb. 13, 2024.
After representing his district for more than 13 years, Schmid has announced he is stepping down. Beyond his public service, he is a cattle farmer by trade who runs River Rock Farm in Westport, using his experience to serve farmers and bring local, healthy food to schools and urban areas.
Rep. Angelo D’Emilia (Republican - 8th Plymouth District):
Announcement: Feb 09, 2024.
After representing his district for the last 14 years, D’Emilia has announced he will not be running for re-election. As a Republican, D’Emilia has not held any leadership positions. As for the opening of his seat, Democrat Dennis Gallagher, current Vice President of the Bridgewater Town Council, has expressed interest in running.
Senate Departures:
Sen. Susan Moran (Democrat - Plymouth and Barnstable District):
Next Move: Running for Barnstable County Superior Court Clerk
Legacy: Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue
Announcement: Nov. 30, 2023
First elected into the State Senate in 2020, Moran has officially stated she will not be returning, and instead running for Barnstable Superior Court Clerk of Courts. She says she has been asked through community conversations to run due to the belief she will work well with fellow Democrats who have been recently elected as district attorney and sheriff. During her time as a Senator, she has fought for competitively funded childcare, protecting the ocean, and encouraging local economic development.
Sen. Marc Pacheco (Democrat - 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District):
Next Move: Open to other elected positions
Legacy: Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management, Chair of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Announcement: Feb. 13, 2024
Pacheco has played a key role in public service, most notably from his Taxpayer Protection Act (AKA the Pacheco Law). The Taxpayer Protection Act was vital in protecting the taxpayer and ensuring cost savings and quality service when a public service is privatized. Pacheco also founded the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, as well as aided in the passing of the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act, which amends various sections of existing laws in Massachusetts to establish a comprehensive framework for monitoring, regulating, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is done by setting specific emission limits, and promoting a transition to a green economy, with penalties for non-compliance and provisions for market-based compliance mechanisms.
In the wake of these departures, a fresh wave of candidates are stepping into the political arena, adding new dimensions to the upcoming elections.
Republican Rep. Mathew Muratore has jumped into the open Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. Susan Moran.
Rep. Dylan Fernandes, a Falmouth Democrat, also announced his Senate candidacy to fill Moran’s seat in 2025, earning endorsements from Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.
Rep. Dan Carey has announced his campaign for Hampshire County Clerk of Court.
In terms of the vacant seat Rep. Dan Carey leaves behind, so far only one candidate has confirmed his bid, Easthampton Town Council President Homar Gomez.
Sen. Susan Moran of Falmouth is already in the race for Barnstable County Superior Court Clerk, triggering competition for the Senate district she represents.
Bourne School Committee member Kari MacRae, a Republican, has declared her Senate candidacy, battling for the seat Senator Moran is leaving behind.
Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Thomas Moakley is gearing up for a run for the Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket District as state representative, emphasizing issues like climate change, reproductive freedom, housing, and the opioid epidemic.
Patrick White is a former Stockbridge select board member who is running for the 3rd Berkshire seat in the House, vacated by Rep. Pignatelli. He is also a Democrat.
What to Expect Next:
As these seasoned legislators step away, a new chapter begins for Massachusetts politics. The upcoming elections will see fresh faces vying for these coveted seats. Each departure leaves a void in committees and leadership positions, prompting questions about who will step up to fill these roles and continue the work of their predecessors.
Cape Cod & the South Shore is experiencing significant movement, with several influential legislators from that delegation leaving. Furthermore, the upcoming elections will unfold in many purple districts.
Moreover, the legacies of these departing legislators will be under scrutiny, as their accomplishments and impact on the state's policies are evaluated. Their absence will undoubtedly shape the political discourse over the following years.
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