Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District
The Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District was eliminated in the 2020 Census redistricting process. Fourteen districts in the state Senate, including this one, were renamed.
As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state senators represented an average of 175,837 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 163,991 residents.
About the office
Members of the Massachusetts State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.[1]
Qualifications
Article CI, Section 2 of the Massachusetts Constitution states: "Each district shall elect one senator, who shall have been an inhabitant of this Commonwealth five years at least immediately preceding his election and at the time of his election shall be an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen; and he shall cease to represent such senatorial district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the Commonwealth."[2]
According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, an individual must be a registered voter to run for office.[3]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $73,655.01/year | No per diem is paid. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Massachusetts General Court, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar.[5] Local governments that conduct special elections can receive reimbursement from the state treasurer's office for costs incurred.[6][7]
See sources: Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 and Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state's new legislative maps into law on November 4, 2021.[8] The state House passed the maps by a vote of 158-1 on October 21, 2021. The state Senate approved the legislative plans on October 27, 2021 by a vote of 36-3. The legislature began consideration of the state's redistricting plans on October 19, 2021.[9] These maps took effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections.
After the redistricting plans were enacted, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin (D) issued a statement expressing concern regarding how the maps would be implemented: "I am extremely disappointed that these bills were signed into law in their current form and I think it is a devastating blow to the voters of Massachusetts. With local precincts divided multiple ways, it will inevitably lead to chaos at the polls and make it impossible for voters to understand who their elected representatives are."[10] After the legislature approved the maps, State Sen. William Brownsberger (D) said, "It’s a quality final product. We have used every minute we’ve had to keep vetting, to keep adjusting . . . and to respond to input that we’ve received."[11]
How does redistricting in Massachusetts work? In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by the governor.[12]
State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[12]
Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District
until January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2020
General election
General election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical)
Incumbent Eric Lesser won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical) on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Eric Lesser (D) | 97.0 | 66,944 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.0 | 2,105 | ||
| Total votes: 69,049 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical)
Incumbent Eric Lesser advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical) on September 1, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eric Lesser | 99.2 | 30,186 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 253 | ||
| Total votes: 30,439 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical)
Incumbent Eric Lesser won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical) on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eric Lesser (D) | 97.9 | 51,633 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.1 | 1,119 | ||
| Total votes: 52,752 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical)
Incumbent Eric Lesser advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical) on September 4, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eric Lesser | 100.0 | 12,671 |
| Total votes: 12,671 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.
Incumbent Eric Lesser defeated James Chip Harrington in the Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District general election.[13][14]
| Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden & Hampshire District General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Eric Lesser Incumbent |
55.90% | 44,602 | |
| Republican | James Chip Harrington | 44.10% | 35,188 | |
| Total Votes | 79,790 | |||
| Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth | ||||
Incumbent Eric Lesser ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District Democratic Primary.[15][16]
| Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden & Hampshire District Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Eric Lesser Incumbent (unopposed) | |
James Chip Harrington ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate First Hampden & Hampshire District Republican Primary.[15][16]
| Massachusetts State Senate, First Hampden & Hampshire District Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | James Chip Harrington (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Eric Lesser defeated Timothy Allen, James Harrington, Thomas Lachiusa and Aaron Saunders in the Democratic primary. Debra Boronski was unopposed in the Republican primary. Independent Michael Franco ran under the America First banner. Lesser defeated Boronski and Franco in the general election.[17]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eric Lesser |
48.1% | 28,153 | |
| Republican | Debra Boronski | 42.6% | 24,964 | |
| Independent | Michael Franco (America First Party) | 4.6% | 2,705 | |
| None | Blank Votes | 4.5% | 2,637 | |
| None | All Others | 0.1% | 85 | |
| Total Votes | 58,544 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Eric Lesser |
35.4% | 5,374 |
| Timothy Allen | 34.1% | 5,182 |
| James Harrington | 27.6% | 4,189 |
| Aaron Saunders | 2.8% | 430 |
| Total Votes | 15,175 | |
2012
Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 6, 2012 and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 29, 2012.[18] Incumbent Gale Candaras (D) was unopposed in the general election and the Democratic primary.[19][20]
Campaign contributions
From 2012 to 2020, candidates for Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical) raised a total of $1,715,131. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $155,921 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Massachusetts State Senate 1st Hampden and Hampshire District (Historical) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2020 | $328,006 | 1 | $328,006 |
| 2016 | $551,688 | 2 | $275,844 |
| 2014 | $732,599 | 7 | $104,657 |
| 2012 | $102,838 | 1 | $102,838 |
| Total | $1,715,131 | 11 | $155,921 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Massachusetts Constitution, "Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "How to Run for Office in Massachusetts," accessed May 27, 2025 (page 5)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 50, Section 6A)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 3: Section 10A)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 54: Section 141)
- ↑ MassLive, "As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker OKs new districts, Secretary of State William Galvin warns of chaos," November 4, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, "2016 State election candidates," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Election data lookup," accessed December 20, 2016
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Massachusetts Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Candidates (Democratic)," accessed June 20, 2016
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Secretary of the Commonweath of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Election Statistics," accessed October 14, 2016
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "2014 State Primary Candidates," accessed September 9, 2014
- ↑ ‘’Massachusetts Secretary of State,’’ “A Candidate’s Guide to the 2012 State Election.” Retrieved November 2, 2013
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, 2012 primary election results. Retrieved November 2, 2013
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, 2012 general election results. Retrieved November 2, 2013
