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State Senator
Karen E. Spilka
Middlesex and Norfolk District · Democrat · President of the Senate
Towns: Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, Natick (some only in part)
- 2025–2026 State Senator, Middlesex and Norfolk · Democrat
- 2023–2024 State Senator, Middlesex and Norfolk · Democrat
- 2021–2022 State Senator, Second Middlesex and Norfolk · Democrat
- 2019–2020 State Senator, Second Middlesex and Norfolk · Democrat
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Find my ballot →Record at a glance · 2025–2026 · Senate
Session by session
| Session | Roll calls voted on | No votes | In the minority (split votes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–2026 | – | 5 | 0 of 28 |
| 2023–2024 | – | 12 | 0 of 26 |
| 2021–2022 | – | 8 | 0 of 39 |
| 2019–2020 | – | 7 | 0 of 35 |
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official House and Senate roll calls. Quorum calls are not counted, nor joint sessions and the vote electing the Senate President.
- “Roll calls voted on” matches the Missed votes figures below; voting “present” counts as voting.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no (ties not counted). “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes.
- “Whole Senate” combines every member’s record for the same session. Percentages are shown only with at least 10 votes to count.
- Most bills pass or die without a roll call, so these numbers cover only part of a legislator’s work.
- Party is shown as the Legislature lists it, next to the district. MassVoter never compares, groups or ranks legislators by party.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates legislators.
Committees and leadership · 2025–2026
Leadership: President of the Senate
Most bills are shaped in committee before any floor vote; committee chairs decide which bills move. Source: malegislature.gov (committee lists as of Oct 10, 2026).
Campaign money
Where the 2025–26 contributions came from
Gifts from individuals
Contributions deposited since Sep 30: $150, from deposit reports. They will be in the totals above when the next bank report comes in.
Year by year
| Year | Raised | Spent | Cash at the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $196,197 | $243,619 | $193,636 so far |
| 2025 | $313,494 | $567,324 | $240,710 |
| 2024 | $323,600 | $367,306 | $289,898 |
| 2023 | $308,195 | $318,493 | $331,440 |
| 2022 | $226,730 | $334,424 | $340,184 |
| 2021 | $254,642 | $204,014 | $442,038 |
| 2020 | $124,007 | $658,903 | $391,411 |
As reported to OCPF. See the full reports at OCPF
How to read this
- Candidates report to OCPF, the state’s campaign finance office. Most file with a bank that reports to OCPF, so totals are updated often.
- “Raised” is all money the campaign took in, including loans from the candidate. “Cash on hand” is what was left on the latest report.
- Shares count contributions only, from the line-by-line reports up to the latest bank report date, so they are shown as percentages. “PACs and other political committees” includes party committees. “Small gifts not listed one by one” are gifts of $50 or less that the law lets campaigns report as one total.
- Outside spending is money spent by groups that are not part of the campaign, such as independent expenditure PACs. The candidate does not control it.
- Federal candidates (U.S. Senate and U.S. House) report to the Federal Election Commission, not OCPF, and are not shown here.
- MassVoter updates these numbers every night from OCPF. Last update: October 13, 2026.
These numbers describe the money; they are not a grade. Raising more or less is neither good nor bad. MassVoter does not connect donations to votes or positions.
Financial interests: State and county elected officials, and candidates for those offices, must file a yearly Statement of Financial Interests with the State Ethics Commission, listing sources of income, business interests and real estate. Anyone can ask for a copy; the Commission tells the filer who asked. How to request a copy (State Ethics Commission)
In the news
- Spilka to lead Senate into a ninth year, first since BulgerWWLP 22News · Jul 26, 2026
- Spilka to lead Senate into a ninth year, first since BulgerCommonWealth Beacon · Jul 24, 2026
- Senate readies its own take on legislative records accessWWLP 22News · Jul 24, 2026
- Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Raises Juneteenth Flag at State House with Gov. HealeyNew Bedford Guide · Jun 18, 2026
- Senate to take up primary care spending target next weekWWLP 22News · Jun 11, 2026
- SJC eyes action in Campbell–DiZoglio audit standoffWWLP 22News · May 6, 2026
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Schedules Arguments in DiZoglio’s Lawsuit Over Voter-Approved AuditNew Bedford Guide · May 3, 2026
- State legislators share update with Natick against backdrop of federal funding cutsNatick Report · Apr 16, 2026
- Anti-ICE rally held in Natick CenterNatick Report · Jan 10, 2026
- Mass. leaders focus on ballot questions, health care as they look ahead to 2026NBC Boston · Nov 24, 2025
- Spilka: Massachusetts State Budget “Really In Trouble” with HealthcareFall River Reporter · Nov 24, 2025
- Massachusetts State Sen. Edward Kennedy of Lowell dies at 74NBC Boston · Oct 2, 2025
- MassDOT holds formal groundbreaking for Routes 27/9 bridge replacement & interchange projectNatick Report · Jul 28, 2025
- Natick Select Board receives sobering update from Rep. Linsky and Sen. SpilkaNatick Report · Jun 30, 2025
- Massachusetts House and Senate agree on transparency reformsThe New Bedford Light · Jun 23, 2025
Stories that name Karen E. Spilka in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Most divided votes
For each session, the 10 roll calls where the losing side was largest, with how Karen E. Spilka voted. Most roll calls in the Massachusetts Legislature pass by wide margins, so these are where members split the most.
2025–2026
State budget for fiscal year 2026Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No12–28 · Amendment rejectedEarlier sessions (13)
Enhancing the health care market review processAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No10–30 · Amendment rejectedRelative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadershipAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes31–9 · Amendment adoptedTo improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–30 · Amendment rejectedPromoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and servicesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote12–26 · Amendment rejectedRelative to forfeiture reformAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote10–29 · Amendment rejectedRelative to work and family mobilityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote10–29 · Amendment rejectedRegulating sports wageringAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No14–26 · Amendment rejectedDriving climate policy forwardAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote11–28 · Amendment rejectedMaking appropriations for fiscal year 2022 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projectsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No11–29 · Amendment rejectedEstablishing Congressional districtsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes26–13 · PassedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No16–24 · Amendment rejectedVotes by topic
Roll calls sorted by subject, from the bill title and the question voted on. A vote can fall under more than one topic; budget amendments mostly fall under Taxes and budgets. Tap a topic to see each vote.
Taxes and budgets 108
Water, sewer and environment 25
Health and human services 23
Roads, traffic and transit 19
Police, fire and public safety 17
Schools and education 15
Veterans 8
Housing and zoning 8
Parks, recreation and libraries 8
Licenses and permits 5
Energy and utilities 5
Elections and how government runs 4
Appointments and hiring 4
Bills they filed · 2025–2026
Karen E. Spilka filed 4 bills as lead sponsor this session. Sorted by subject from each bill’s title; a bill can fall under more than one.
Filing a bill puts an idea before the Legislature. Most bills are not voted on as filed: committees often combine several bills into one new bill, so a law can include a legislator’s idea without carrying their bill number. MassVoter lists what was filed, not what passed.
Elections and how government runs 1
Other subjects 3
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 11, 2026).
Bills they signed on to · 2025–2026
Karen E. Spilka signed on as a co-sponsor of 570 bills filed by other legislators this session. Co-sponsoring means adding your name in support when a bill is filed; it is not a vote. Sorted by subject from each bill’s title; a bill can fall under more than one.
Health and human services 68
Schools and education 41
Water, sewer and environment 32
Housing and zoning 27
Police, fire and public safety 27
Taxes and budgets 23
Appointments and hiring 22
Roads, traffic and transit 21
Veterans 14
Energy and utilities 12
Elections and how government runs 11
Licenses and permits 6
Parks, recreation and libraries 3
Other subjects 304
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 10, 2026). Bills they filed themselves are not listed here.
How Karen E. Spilka voted
376 recorded votes
Relative to craft brewersApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedResolve providing for the erection in the house chamber of a memorial containing the text of the address which Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.…Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedAuthorizing and accelerating transportation investmentApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes36–4 · PassedAuthorizing and accelerating transportation investmentAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes40–0 · Amendment adoptedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes30–7 · PassedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes26–14 · Amendment adoptedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes40–0 · Amendment adoptedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes40–0 · Amendment adoptedFinancing improvements to municipal roads and bridgesFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes38–0 · Amendment adoptedRelative to voting options in response to COVID-19Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to voting options in response to COVID-19Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedTo facilitate the delay of the income tax filing deadlineFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes38–0 · PassedSetting next-generation climate policyApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes36–2 · PassedRelative to plastic bag reductionApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes36–4 · PassedRelative to children’s health and wellnessFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes40–0 · PassedRequiring the hands-free use of mobile telephones while drivingFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes38–1 · PassedRelative to educational opportunity for studentsAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedTo protect persons with intellectual or developmental disability from abuseApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedRelative to educational opportunity for studentsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to collective bargaining duesOverride the Governor's vetoVoted: Yes39–1 · Veto overridden (needs two-thirds)State budget for fiscal year 2020Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes39–1 · PassedSource: official profile on malegislature.gov. Only roll call votes are listed; bills passed on a voice vote have no individual record. MassVoter never grades or scores legislators. How to read this