Gov facing unsettled Legislature in new term
Freshly re-elected Gov. Charlie Baker returns to Beacon Hill facing a deeply unsettled state Legislature still recovering from explosive sexual harassment charges as well as continued criticism for authoritarian leadership.
“This is a clear mandate from voters who want their representatives to take risks and get results,” said Nika Elugardo, a Jamaica Plain Democrat who ousted state Rep. Jeff Sanchez, a top lieutenant in House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo’s leadership team. “Voters will no longer settle for mediocrity.”
Elugardo is just one of several hyper-engaged, progressive newcomers elected to Beacon Hill yesterday — a trend that’s sparked deep alarm among some entrenched State House leaders.
“It’s just crazy,” moaned one longtime Democratic legislator.
“Everybody’s so amped up about this national stuff and thirsty for change. I don’t know if what you’ve done, or what you fought for or the things you delivered — I don’t know if that matters anymore,” he said.
Elugardo and other surprise winners such as Boston Democrat Jon Santiago and Andover Democrat Tram Nguyen will join the House of Representatives as DeLeo continues to fend off growing criticism of his topheavy leadership style.
“Some of the things we want to make are structural changes, like how committee chairs are chosen and things like that,” said Elugardo.
DeLeo — who is set to become the longest continually serving speaker in Bay State history — has defended his leadership style as collaborative.
Meanwhile, Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) will need to shore up support as she seeks to steady the 40-member senate following an embarrassing sex scandal that forced former Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg to resign.
Prosecutors continue to make their case against Rosenberg’s husband, Bryon Hefner, who is charged with sexually assaulting several victims with business under the Golden Dome.
Both Spilka and DeLeo will also face intense jockeying for prime committee posts left vacant following the Senate scandal and Rep. Sanchez’s surprise ouster.
The tumultuous year means Beacon Hill leaders have had little time to outline policy priorities as they gather for a new two-year term in January.
“It’s definitely a blank slate,” said Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), who has long advocated for a growing progressive agenda in the House and the Senate. “There’s a lot of questions about what leadership priorities are, but I think it’s going to be a pretty powerful freshman class.”