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Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District

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Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District
Incumbent
Assumed office: July 27, 2017

Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District is represented by Cindy Friedman (D).

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

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

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]
SalaryPer diem
$73,655.01/yearNo per diem is paid.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

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]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 and Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2020 census

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 4th Middlesex District
until January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District
starting January 4, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman (D)
 
98.3
 
70,460
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.7
 
1,235

Total votes: 71,695
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on September 3, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman
 
99.6
 
17,808
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
70

Total votes: 17,878
Candidate Connection = 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.

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2022

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman (D)
 
98.0
 
54,112
 Other/Write-in votes
 
2.0
 
1,107

Total votes: 55,219
Candidate Connection = 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 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on September 6, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman
 
99.7
 
20,466
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
60

Total votes: 20,526
Candidate Connection = 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.

2020

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman defeated Michael Robbins in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman (D)
 
98.4
 
74,955
Michael Robbins (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.3
 
232
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.3
 
1,023

Total votes: 76,210
Candidate Connection = 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 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on September 1, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman
 
99.5
 
37,189
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
184

Total votes: 37,373
Candidate Connection = 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

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman (D)
 
98.9
 
59,993
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.1
 
686

Total votes: 60,679
Candidate Connection = 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 4th Middlesex District

Incumbent Cindy Friedman advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District on September 4, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cindy Friedman
Cindy Friedman
 
100.0
 
19,479

Total votes: 19,479
Candidate Connection = 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.

2017

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2017

A special election for the position of Massachusetts State Senate Fourth Middlesex District was called for July 25, 2017. A primary election was held on June 27, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 23, 2017.[13]

The seat became vacant on April 2, 2017, when Kenneth Donnelly (D) died following an eight-month battle with a brain tumor.[14]

Cindy Friedman defeated state Rep. Sean Garballey and Mary Ann Stewart in the special Democratic primary. Friedman defeated Green-Rainbow candidate Ian Jackson in the special election.[15][16]

Massachusetts State Senate, Fourth Middlesex District, Special Election, 2017
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngCindy Friedman 90.4% 7,874
     Green-Rainbow Ian Jackson 9.6% 832
Total Votes 8,706

2016

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 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 Kenneth Donnelly ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate Fourth Middlesex District general election.[17][18]

Massachusetts State Senate, Fourth Middlesex District General Election, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Kenneth Donnelly Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth


Incumbent Kenneth Donnelly ran unopposed in the Massachusetts State Senate Fourth Middlesex District Democratic Primary.[19][20]

Massachusetts State Senate, Fourth Middlesex District Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Kenneth Donnelly Incumbent (unopposed)


2014

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 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. Incumbent Kenneth Donnelly was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.[21]

2012

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 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.[22] Incumbent Kenneth Donnelly (D) defeated Gerry Dembrowski (R) in the general election.[23][24]

Massachusetts State Senate, Fourth Middlesex District, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKenneth Donnelly Incumbent 68.2% 56,100
     Republican Gerry Dembrowski 31.8% 26,210
Total Votes 82,310

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2024, candidates for Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District raised a total of $429,313. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $61,330 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Massachusetts State Senate 4th Middlesex District
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $68,977 1 $68,977
2022 $60,685 1 $60,685
2020 $69,172 1 $69,172
2016 $97,586 1 $97,586
2014 $13,051 1 $13,051
2012 $119,842 2 $59,921
Total $429,313 7 $61,330


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Massachusetts Constitution, "Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
  2. The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed May 21, 2025
  3. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "How to Run for Office in Massachusetts," accessed May 27, 2025 (page 5)
  4. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  5. Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 50, Section 6A)
  6. Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 3: Section 10A)
  7. Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 54: Section 141)
  8. MassLive, "As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker OKs new districts, Secretary of State William Galvin warns of chaos," November 4, 2021
  9. Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
  10. Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
  11. Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
  12. 12.0 12.1 All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed May 4, 2015
  13. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Special State Election Fourth Middlesex Senatorial District," accessed April 28, 2017
  14. Patch.com, "Sen. Kenneth Donnelly Dies at 66," accessed April 3, 2017
  15. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "4th Middlesex Senate general election results," accessed July 31, 2017
  16. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "4th Middlesex Senate primary election results," accessed July 31, 2017
  17. Massachusetts Secretary of State, "2016 State election candidates," accessed October 3, 2016
  18. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Election data lookup," accessed December 20, 2016
  19. Massachusetts Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Candidates (Democratic)," accessed June 20, 2016
  20. Secretary of the Commonweath of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Election Statistics," accessed October 14, 2016
  21. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "2014 State Primary Candidates," accessed September 9, 2014
  22. Massachusetts Secretary of State, “A Candidate’s Guide to the 2012 State Election.” Retrieved November 2, 2013
  23. Massachusetts Secretary of State, 2012 primary election results. Retrieved November 2, 2013
  24. Massachusetts Secretary of State, 2012 general election results. Retrieved November 2, 2013


Current members of the Massachusetts State Senate
Senators
Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire District
Paul Mark (D)
Bristol and Norfolk District
Cape and Islands District
Hampden District
Hampden and Hampshire District
Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester District
Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District
Middlesex and Norfolk District
Middlesex and Suffolk District
Middlesex and Worcester District
Norfolk and Middlesex District
Norfolk and Plymouth District
Norfolk and Suffolk District
Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol District
Norfolk, Worcester, and Middlesex District
Plymouth and Barnstable District
Suffolk and Middlesex District
Worcester and Hampden District
Worcester and Hampshire District
Worcester and Middlesex District
1st Bristol and Plymouth District
1st Essex District
1st Essex and Middlesex District
1st Middlesex District
1st Plymouth and Norfolk District
1st Suffolk District
1st Worcester District
2nd Bristol and Plymouth District
2nd Essex District
2nd Essex and Middlesex District
2nd Middlesex District
2nd Plymouth and Norfolk District
2nd Suffolk District
2nd Worcester District
3rd Bristol and Plymouth District
3rd Essex District
3rd Middlesex District
3rd Suffolk District
4th Middlesex District
5th Middlesex District
Democratic Party (35)
Republican Party (5)