Big Change For Milford State Senate Representation In Proposal

MILFORD, MA — Milford may soon get a new state Senator after a proposal released this week by Senate Democrats that redraws districts across the state.

Under the proposal, Milford would join a mostly new district represented by state Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Natick. Republican state Sen. Ryan Fattman's district would shift west, losing Milford and Bellingham, but adding all of Northbridge and Upton — plus communities like Monson, Brimfield, Wales and Holland.

Senate Democrats unveiled the proposal Tuesday following the release of the decennial U.S. Census in August. Legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years to coincide with population shifts detected by the Census.

State House Democrats also released a new redistricting proposal this week, but Milford's 10th Worcester District — which includes Mendon and Hopedale — would not change.

Rausch's Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District extends from Wayland south to North Attleborough. In addition to Milford and Bellingham, she would add all of Franklin — Senate President Karen Spilka represents about half of the town currently — and Medfield.

With an eye on the one-year residency requirement to run for state representative, House and Senate leaders are aiming to wrap up the once-a-decade process of redrawing state legislative lines by early November.

The release of draft maps kicks off a public comment period that will last until 5 p.m. on Monday.

Material from State House News Service was used in this report.