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Mike Barrett

State Senator | Democrat | 3rd Middlesex District MA

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Why Run?


Why is Mike Barrett running?

This government is your government?  We have hard work ahead to make sure these words ring true.  Lots of people are under strain.  Jobs are insecure.  Costs are climbing for housing and higher education and health care.  The well-off remain well-off.  But even for the prosperous, prospects for the next generation are a question mark.  For most of us, the future has never seemed so unknowable.

State government is no magic lever by which everything can be made right.  But we can push back, to powerful effect, against the special interests and the narrowly self-interested.  As a participant-leader in a community of neighbors, a state senator has much to contribute — ideas, contacts, time and, where warranted, public resources.  Together we can make headway on top-of-mind concerns like economic growth.  Climate change.  College affordability.  Helping people deal with their health problems.  Doing smart and decent things with our tax revenues.

Once upon a time, before entering the private sector, I served in the very body for which I’m now a candidate.  I know that high standards and hard work can make a difference in the State Senate, a group of just 40 people elected from across Massachusetts.

I’m running because in my earlier service I got a lot done (modesty takes a back seat in political campaigns).  I was Legislator of the Year three times – named as such by the Mass. Municipal Association for my work on local aid, and by the Greater Boston Association for Retarded Citizens and the Mass. Developmental Disabilities Council for my work on human services.  Boston Magazine tagged me “Best Democratic Rising Star” and the Boston Phoenix and Lowell Sun named me one of the Ten Best Legislators in Massachusetts.

The National Center for Policy Alternatives added my ideas on toxic use reduction to its list of Best Bets for creative policymaking.  For my work on hazardous waste issues I received a Special Achievement Award from the Environmental Lobby of Massachusetts.  Have a quick look at Mike’s Record (after you excuse me for referring to myself in the third person).

I’m running because I bring to the job 17 years of private-sector experience and 17 years of public-sector experience.  The private-sector work has been in healthcare, computers and the Internet – crucial parts of the Mass. economy – and here I hope to make a special contribution.  Technologists are everywhere in the “real world” but exceedingly rare in state legislatures.  It can only be a good thing if elected bodies come to include people familiar with the major drivers of job growth.  See About Mike.

Another reason I’m running is because I learned the first time around – sometimes the hard way – how to stand up to special-interest pressure and build coalitions that fight back and win.  Bad things happen in the Legislature, no question, but this is hardly the whole story.  Lawmaking in the right hands is productive and worthwhile.

Campaigns are worthwhile, too – at their best, they’re high-spirited, inclusive and fun.  They’re great for meeting people and forming friendships.  And the cause is worth the effort.   This government is your government?  It will be if we make it so.

The case for change is urgent.  To advance progressive values, we need legislators at the top of their game.  If you want to know where I’ll go in the job, consider where I’ve been … unwavering in my support of a woman’s right to choose … unrelenting in my opposition to the death penalty … steadfast in advocating for children and adults with physical, developmental and emotional issues … and, in marked contrast to other candidates in the Democratic primary, consistent in my defense of tax revenues that balance the budget and fund needed services.

Granted, no human transition is more sensitive than a shifting of the guard – honoring past service while opting for new leadership.  By the time change actually happens, it’s often overdue.  With all due respect, I say we’re overdue on gaining fresh representation in the Mass. State Senate for Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Lincoln, Waltham, Weston and large parts of Sudbury and Lexington.

It’s high time for a fresh start.  Donate here.  Volunteer here.  I’m ready to challenge the status quo, and I need your help.   Please join me.

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Senator Mike Barrett

Senator Mike Barrett

Senator Mike Barrett

6 days ago

Senator Mike Barrett
Overturning Roe leaves a permanent stain on the U.S. Supreme Court. At least we saw this coming. In anticipation, the Massachusetts State Senate just approved an additional $2 million for abortion care and support services. Massachusetts needs to be a safe haven state, a source of help for women who may come to us from other places for abortion services. ... See MoreSee Less

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Senator Mike Barrett

2 months ago

Senator Mike Barrett
If the Court reverses Roe, it will be its most consequential opinion of the past 50 years and leave a permanent stain on the institution. We will be dealing with the implications — the personal ones for families and the political ones for the country — for decades. ... See MoreSee Less

With Supreme Court poised to overturn abortion rights, activists in Massachusetts voice outrage and resolve - The Boston Globe

www.bostonglobe.com

Massachusetts is among the Democratic-leaning states expected to see an influx of patients from stat...
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Mike’s Twitter Feed

Senator Mike Barrett Follow 2,906 4,105

State Senator for Bedford Carlisle Chelmsford Concord Lincoln Waltham Weston and large parts of Lexington and Sudbury Senate Chair of the Committee on Energy

senatorbarrett
Senator Mike Barrett @senatorbarrett ·
1 Jul 1542881141035859968

Overturning Roe leaves a permanent stain on the U.S. Supreme Court. At least we saw this coming. In anticipation, the Massachusetts State Senate just approved an additional $2 million for abortion care and support services. (1/2)

Image for the Tweet beginning: Overturning Roe leaves a permanent Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1542881141035859968 Retweet on Twitter 1542881141035859968 1 Like on Twitter 1542881141035859968 8 Twitter 1542881141035859968
Senator Mike Barrett @senatorbarrett ·
6 May 1522650626559250435

If the Court reverses Roe, it will be its most consequential opinion of the past 50 yrs & leave a permanent stain on the institution. We will be dealing with the implications—the personal ones for families & the political ones for the country—for decades.

Image for twitter card

With Supreme Court poised to overturn abortion rights, activists in Massachusetts voice outrage and resolve - The Boston Globe

Massachusetts is among the Democratic-leaning states expected to see an influx of patients from states that make abo...

www.bostonglobe.com

Reply on Twitter 1522650626559250435 Retweet on Twitter 1522650626559250435 0 Like on Twitter 1522650626559250435 2 Twitter 1522650626559250435
Senator Mike Barrett @senatorbarrett ·
15 Apr 1514972561200852999

Senators took a major step toward achieving the net-zero emissions limit they already set for Massachusetts by approving a policy-heavy bill aimed at expanding the clean energy industry and reining in emissions from the transportation and building sectors.

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Senate passes big climate bill focused on getting to net-zero

Senators took a major step Thursday toward achieving the net-zero emissions target they already set for Massachusetts ...

www.wbur.org

Reply on Twitter 1514972561200852999 Retweet on Twitter 1514972561200852999 12 Like on Twitter 1514972561200852999 32 Twitter 1514972561200852999
Senator Mike Barrett @senatorbarrett ·
14 Apr 1514621845437399040

Happening now: @MA_Senate debates An Act driving climate policy forward.

Follow along live: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/4149

Image for the Tweet beginning: Happening now: @MA_Senate debates An Twitter feed image.
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Senator Mike Barrett @senatorbarrett ·
8 Apr 1512421275632869376

“We know climate change is relentless, so Massachusetts needs to be relentless, too,” Senator Mike Barrett said.



1/2

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‘The most important issue of our time’: Mass. Senate unveils climate change legislation

Senate President Karen Spilka in recent weeks at hinted at upcoming climate change legislation to coincide with Earth Day.

www.masslive.com

Reply on Twitter 1512421275632869376 Retweet on Twitter 1512421275632869376 3 Like on Twitter 1512421275632869376 18 Twitter 1512421275632869376
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Mike Barrett

State Senator | Democrat | 3rd Middlesex District MA

Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Lincoln,
Waltham, Weston, and large parts of Lexington and Sudbury

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