By Bob Katzen
The Senate re-elected Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) as Senate president and Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) as Republican Minority Leader.
Spilka received the votes of 34 of the Senate’s 35 Democrats while all five Republicans voted for Tarr. Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) voted “present.”
“What an exciting day to kick off 2025,” posted Spilka on Facebook. “Today I had the distinct honor of being sworn in as the Senator representing Middlesex and Norfolk and re-elected President of the Massachusetts Senate. The privilege and responsibility to serve the Senate and our commonwealth is not one I take lightly. I’m so thankful for my family who was able to be here today and those supporting me from afar. I’m forever grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and look forward to all we will tackle together in this coming year as we fight like hell for the great people of our commonwealth.”
Sen. Tarr posted on Facebook, “Thank you [Senate President Spilka] for your partnership and friendship as we continue to work together to defy the ongoing and disturbing trends of division and paralysis that are plaguing other legislative bodies, even as we face challenges, circumstances, and situations that demand the very best each of us has to offer on behalf of those we represent.”
“I voted ‘present’ today in the roll call for the election of a Senate President because changes are needed,” Keenan posted on X. “We have had significantly fewer roll calls, routinely missed deadlines, failed to adopt joint rules, waived rules, passed bills beyond the end of formal sessions with limited opportunities for members to participate fully, and have often been at odds with our partners in the House of Representatives.”
Keenan continued, “We have been less transparent and less connected with what the residents of the commonwealth rightly demand and deserve from the Massachusetts State Senate.”Sen. Patricia Jehlen Voted for Spilka