Christine Barber is the most recent to bid for the state Senate seat that will be vacated by Patricia Jehlen this year, bringing the number of declared candidates to four. In addition, state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, whose district covers southern Somerville, and Cambridge resident Neheet Trivedi told Cambridge Day they were exploring running for the seat.
Jehlen, 82, has represented the Second Middlesex District, which covers Somerville and Medford plus parts of Cambridge and Winchester,for 20 years. She announced in December that she won’t seek reelection this fall. Shortly thereafter, Somerville City Councilor Matt McLaughlin and Winchester entrepreneur and School Committee member Tom Hopcroft threw their hats into the ring.
Barber announced her intent to run in a press release shared Monday. “Our communities deserve a Senator who is ready on day one and laser focused on delivering for Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, and Winchester,” she said in the release. “I will bring collaborative leadership and community voices to Beacon Hill.”
Barber currently represents the 34th Middlesex District, which covers northern Somerville and much of Medford, in the House. She was elected to the post in 2014, prior to which she worked in health policy research and advocacy.
Data from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign Political Finance shows that Trivedi created a political committee linked to the seat on December 1. “I’m considering different options on how I can help make a difference,” Trivedi told Cambridge Day. A Cambridge resident, Trivedi has also worked on the Cambridge Climate Committee and the Massachusetts Avenue Planning Study Working Group.
More contenders may enter the race. Uyterhoeven is “seriously considering running for State Senate,” she told Cambridge Day Tuesday, adding that she’d received encouragement to do so from the community.
This story was updated to add comments from Neheet Trivedi, who clarified that he is exploring entering the race.
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