The abrupt exit of Stan Rosenberg from the presidency of the Massachusetts Senate has led to speculation about who will be the leader of the chamber in 2019. Another Democrat from western Massachusetts is considering running for Senate President.
State Sen Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow), in just his second term in the legislature, said he has been talking with other Senators, to sound out their support, as he decides whether to run for the top leadership post.
" There is a group of us who feel like we need to have a conversation about the issues and what we want Massachusetts to look like in the years ahead and what we want the institution of the Senate to look like in the years ahead," Lesser said in a recent interview. " It is a conversation I want to contribute to."
Lesser, 32, said he would bring a new perspective and a forward-thinking approach to the Senate presidency. But, he insists he is just testing the waters at this point.
" I have not made any final decision by any stretch of the imagination," Lesser said, noting the election of the next Senate president won't happen until 2019.
Senate President Harriette Chandler, the Worcester Democrat who was tapped to replace Rosenberg, said she does not want the job beyond this year.
" (Chandler) has my complete support and trust and confidence to move us foward," Lesser said.
Lesser represents the First Hampden and Hampshire District, which consists of nine communities including roughly a-third of the city of Springfield and suburbs stretching from Longmeadow to Belchertown. No one has publically announced plans to run against Lesser as he seeks reelection in November to a third term.
" If Eric Lesser wins reelection in his own district there is no question he is a candidate for the Senate presidency," said Springfield-based political consultant Tony Cignoli.
He said despite Lesser's relative lack of seniority in the Senate, Lesser is a credible candidate to lead the 40-member chamber.
" He is making the case that western Massachusetts needs a voice and younger, fresher ideas are needed for a more energetic Senate. For Lesser and some others elected in the last few years, the pace of the Senate is awfully slow."
Other Democrats who have let it be known they would like to be the next Senate President include Eileen Donoghue of Lowell, Karen Spilka of Ashland, and Sal DiDemonico of Everett.
Republican Senator Don Humason of Westfield said Lesser is well-regarded by his colleagues.
" It is all about coalition building at this point," said Humason. "The other option is we have a minority leader who is very well reguarded on both sides of the aisle. He has a block of seven solid Republican votes and we believe Bruce Tarr could easily get more."
Rosenberg (D-Amherst) was forced out by a scandal over his husband’s alleged sexual misconduct and possible influence over Senate business. Rosenberg agreed to vacate the president’s office to await the outcome of an investigation by the Senate’s Ethics Committee.
When he became Senate President in 2015, Rosenberg was the first politician from western Massachusetts to ascend to one of the two top leadership posts in the legislature in 40 years.
