Somerville And Medford Rep. Making Run For State Senate

SOMERVILLE, MA — A local State Representative has announced her campaign for State Senate in the second Middlesex District.

Christine Barber represents the 34th Middlesex District in the House of Representatives, which includes portions of Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, and Winchester. Barber is aiming to be the successor of incumbent Pat Jehlen, who announced she will not be running for reelection.

Barber has served in the House since being elected in 2014. Prior to that, she worked in the field of healthcare for seven years as a senior policy analyst for Community Catalyst, a national nonprofit organization. However, her current role is not the first she served in the House of Representatives as she once worked as a research analyst for the government body two decades prior.

“Senator Pat Jehlen leaves a historic legacy for our communities, and I am running to build on it with progressive leadership that delivers real results,” Barber said in a statement. “If you believe our communities deserve a Senator who can take on tough fights and win, I would be honored to have your support.”

During her tenure in the House, Barber has been involved in legislation that reduces prices for expensive healthcare services and equipment such as insulin and inhalers, securing funds for projects such as the MBTA’s Green Line Extension Project and Medford’s South Street revitalization, and the Work and Family Mobility Act, which allowed people to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status.

Barber is Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus Task Force on Justice-Involved Women. In addition, she also serves on the Massachusetts Autism Commission, Advisory Board of Emerge Massachusetts, and Somerville Democratic City Committee.

Somerville Ward One City Councilor Matt McLaughlin, Winchester School Committee member Tom Hopcroft, and Cambridge resident Neheet Trevedi. The state primary election is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 1.

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