Veteran Boston Journalist Tom Melville Kicks off 2026 Campaign for State Representative

Veteran Boston Journalist Tom Melville Kicks off 2026 Campaign for State Representative

Veteran Boston journalist Tom Melville has launched his campaign for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the Ninth Norfolk District – to represent Wrentham, Norfolk, Plainville and parts of Medfield (precincts 3 and 4), Walpole (precinct 5) and Millis (precinct 1). Melville’s service in a journalism career spanning more than four decades included stints as chief political reporter, executive producer and news director at New England Cable News (NECN), and executive news director at Boston's NPR news station, WBUR.

Melville, a longtime Medfield resident, is an attorney and served in the United States Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. In recent years he was communications director for the MIT Energy Initiative, MIT’s hub for energy research, outreach, and education.

Melville is deeply involved in community causes. He is the former board president of the Medfield Afterschool Program (MAP) and currently serves on the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Norfolk and Medfield, providing confidential, emergency financial aid to neighbors in need. He and his wife have two adult children.

Melville launched the campaign before an overflow crowd of supporters from throughout the Ninth Norfolk District. “I am running for a return to civility in our government,” he said. “Here in the Ninth Norfolk we need it. We have not had it. We need civility, decency and kindness – calm conversations – not screaming and yelling, but problem solving.”

Melville is the only candidate in the race committed to being a full-time state representative. He has pledged to be available to all residents, no matter their party or whom they voted for. He spoke of the value of his deep journalism experience in serving the people of Wrentham, Norfolk, Plainville, Medfield, Walpole and Millis. “I sought to shine a light at powerful
institutions, to hold government agencies, corporations, religious institutions, and politicians accountable. I’ll bring that mission to the state legislature. We need openness and transparency in our government. I support the audit of the legislature.”

Melville’s nomination papers with more than 250 signatures of voters from throughout the Ninth Norfolk District have been certified by the six town clerks and approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of State. He will appear on the September 1st, 2026 Primary election ballot.

Among his stands on the issues:
● Supporting improved state funding for public schools,
● Increased healthcare access and greater transparency in healthcare costs,
● Commitment to a strong public health system in Massachusetts,
● Greater support for seniors to allow aging in place,
● Bringing down the cost of energy by embracing wind, solar, energy storage, and the burgeoning Massachusetts clean energy industry,
● A return to civility in our state government and the Ninth Norfolk, working across the aisle.
● Strong civil rights and a commitment to the words of the Pledge of Allegiance: “Liberty and justice for all.”

You can find more information about Melville’s campaign at electmelville.com