politics

A new crop of State Legislators was sworn-in Wednesday at the State House and with the biggest crop of new legislators from Boston in several years, I figured I wouldn’t be doing my job as ONEin3′s Legal/Political blogger if I didn’t offer a quick meet and greet so you know who your new Reps will be:

4^th Suffolk District (Covering South Boston & Dorchester) – Nick Collins

Collins, taking over for Brian Wallace who retired, is a marketing consultant for non-profit organizations.  He formerly worked in the office of State Senator Jack Hart addressing constituent issues while also having served as a field director for then-Senator (now- Vice President) Joe Biden’s failed presidential campaign.  Among other issues he has said he would work to continue the controversial film tax credit for those seeking to shoot movies in Massachusetts.

5^th Suffolk District (Covering Roxbury & Dorchester) – Carlos Tony Henriquez

Henriquez, who takes over for Marie St. Fleur who left to take a position with the City of Boston, is a former president of the board of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and local youth activist.  He also worked as an aide in Boston City Hall.  He says he is a life-long Boston city resident and graduate of the Boston Public Schools.  He has said his primary focus will be on creating more jobs, improving city schools, and on public safety.  (Full Disclosure:  Henriquez is also a member of the OneIn3 Mayor’s Advisory Council though we have never met)

6^th Suffolk District (Covering Dorchester & Mattapan) – Russell Holmes

Holmes, taking over for Willie Mae Allen who chose to retire, is a certified financial planner.  He formerly worked as an engineer and owned a small video store in Brookline.  He is said to be most interested in addressing issues of public transportation, safety and education while on Beacon Hill.  Holmes’ wife is a teacher in the Boston public schools.

10^th Suffolk District – (Covering Roslindale, Brookline & West Roxbury) – Ed Coppinger

Coppinger, who takes over for Michael Rush who won a State Senate seat, is a residential mortgage loan officer.  He has also involved himself in community activities, such as local sports programs and a website he co-created – parkwayboston.com – which aims to connect local residents to their neighborhoods.  Supporting the growth of small businesses, investing in green technologies, and improving local schools by shrinking class sizes are among his stated goals as a legislator.

Soon enough they’ll each have their permanent office space and I’ll be sure to post contact information for all 22 State Representatives and Senators that represent a piece of Boston.