It’s Official: Rep. Marzilli Running for State Senate

– Allison Goldsberry

With news that State Senator Robert Havern (D-Arlington) is stepping down September 4 for a lobbying gig, State Representative Jim Marzilli (D-Arlington) has officially thrown his hat into the ring for Havern’s senate seat.

Rep. Marzilli, a state rep for Medford and Arlington for seventeen years, said the senate seat is an opportunity for him since working within the much smaller senate will provide greater leverage for him on the issues he cares about.

“I think that serving in the Senate will allow me to continue working on the issues that I’ve worked on in the House, including increasing local aid, increasing the minimum wage, and trying to create an energy policy for the state that is economically and environmentally sound,” said Rep. Marzilli.

The senate district includes all of Arlington, Billerica, and Burlington, and parts of Woburn and Lexington.  Rep. Marzilli would no longer represent Medford if elected to the seat.

It is up to Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) to set a date for a primary election, and the final election would automatically follow five weeks later.  Rep. Marzilli said he has not heard yet on when the special election will be scheduled.

According to Rep. Marzilli, he will face some competition from Rep. Charles Murphy of Burlington, Rep. Patrick Natale of Woburn, and Arlington Selectwoman Dianne Mahon, as well as potentially others.

Rep. Marzilli’s current district includes part of Arlington and a small part of Medford that includes precinct 2 of Ward 3 and both precincts of Ward 6 in West Medford. 

There is no word yet on prospective candidates for Rep. Marzilli’s seat but an open state representative seat is sure to touch off an interesting race.

More on Rep. Marzilli…

Rep. Marzilli will hold office hours on Friday, September 7, from 9-11AM at the Arlington Council on Aging, 27 Maple Street, Arlington Town Hall.

See Rep. Marzilli’s most recently sponsored bills.