BOSTON—Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) was sworn-in to the Senate today during an official ceremony in the Senate Chamber at the State House. Friedman worked as chief of staff for nine years to the late Senator Ken Donnelly, who previously held the seat until he passed away from brain cancer in April. Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) presided over the ceremony, during which Friedman took the oath of office.
Friedman will serve as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service, and as a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.
“Cindy is a true public servant and community leader, and I know she will carry on the legacy of our late colleague, Senator Ken Donnelly, by standing up for working families and creating legislation that will make a lasting impact in their lives,” said Senate President Rosenberg. “I look forward to working with Cindy and her staff in the weeks ahead to build on the legacy of Senator Donnelly and work tirelessly on behalf of those without a voice.”
“I’m humbled and honored to be elected the new state Senator for the 4th Middlesex district and am incredibly grateful to the voters that put their faith in me to succeed my good friend and late colleague, Ken Donnelly,” said Senator Cindy Friedman. “Now more than ever, state government and public engagement matters. I’m eager to work with my constituents and Senate colleagues to preserve all of the work we have done and ensure that, moving forward, everyone in our Commonwealth has access to equal economic opportunities, affordable healthcare, and quality education that will allow them to succeed.”
Friedman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree in special education from Lesley University, and spent several years working as a kindergarten and elementary school teacher. Friedman is a community activist, serving as a long-time Town Meeting Member; a founding member of SPOT (Schools are a Priority in Our Town); co-founder of Arlington Education Foundation; member of the Symmes Advisory Committee and chair of the Symmes Advisory Committee community outreach sub-committee; and Chair of the Arlington No Place for Hate Committee.