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State Senator
Lydia Edwards
Third Suffolk District · Democrat
Towns: Boston, Revere, Winthrop (some only in part)
- 2025–2026 State Senator, Third Suffolk · Democrat
- 2023–2024 State Senator, Third Suffolk · Democrat
- 2021–2022 State Senator, First Suffolk and Middlesex · 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 | 214 of 237 | 44 | 1 of 84 |
| 2023–2024 | 250 of 250 | 46 | 1 of 85 |
| 2021–2022 | 144 of 144 | 21 | 1 of 43 |
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
- Joint Committee on the Judiciary Chair
- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Joint Committee on Housing
- Joint Committee on Transportation
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
- Senate Committee on Ways and Means
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).
Missed votes
2025–2026so farSenateMissed 23 of 237 roll callsRank 39 of 40 senators90%voted2023–2024SenateMissed 0 of 250 roll callsRank 1 of 40 senators · Every roll call100%voted2021–2022SenateMissed 0 of 144 roll calls (served part of the session)Rank 1 of 40 senators · Every roll call100%votedRoll calls this member did not vote on, while serving in the Senate. Ties share a rank. The record does not say why a member did not vote. See every senator →
Campaign money
Where the 2025–26 contributions came from
Gifts from individuals
Contributions deposited since Sep 30: $3,360, 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 | $79,204 | $81,070 | $92,069 so far |
| 2025 | $97,285 | $105,332 | $90,106 |
| 2024 | $106,878 | $129,661 | $97,011 |
| 2023 | $145,660 | $84,218 | $119,724 |
| 2022 | $89,363 | $140,505 | $58,163 |
| 2021 | $371,805 | $427,027 | $108,994 |
| 2020 | $48,776 | $36,296 | $71,965 |
| 2019 | $105,877 | $94,102 | $59,485 |
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 12, 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
- Eng has ‘no timeline’ to end transportation double dutyWWLP 22News · Jul 15, 2026
- Senator files legislation that places limitations on arrests, detention, or custody actions within Massachusetts courthouses due to increased ICE activityFall River Reporter · Jan 21, 2026
- Government shutdown puts federal workers at eviction riskWWLP 22News · Oct 22, 2025
- Alcohol kiosks raise fan experience, compliance questionsWWLP 22News · Oct 2, 2025
- Shifting the Burden To Landlords: Massachusetts’ New Broker Fee RuleNew Bedford Guide · Jul 8, 2025
- Eviction-sealing petitions pour in under 2024 lawWWLP 22News · May 22, 2025
- Hundreds seek to seal their eviction records under new Mass. lawNBC Boston · May 21, 2025
- Massachusetts tenants now allowed to have their eviction records sealedNew Bedford Guide · May 6, 2025
- Outreach efforts starting as eviction-sealing law takes effectWWLP 22News · May 5, 2025
Stories that name Lydia Edwards 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 Lydia Edwards voted. Most roll calls in the Massachusetts Legislature pass by wide margins, so these are where members split the most.
2025–2026
To save people money, repair the climate and grow the economyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No19–20 · Amendment rejectedTo save people money, repair the climate and grow the economyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–30 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2027Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–30 · Amendment rejectedPromoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatmentAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No10–29 · Amendment rejectedModernizing the commonwealth’s cannabis lawsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No11–26 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2026Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–30 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2026Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No12–28 · Amendment rejectedFiscal Year 2025 Supplemental AppropriationsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote10–28 · Amendment rejectedFiscal Year 2025 Supplemental AppropriationsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote12–26 · Amendment rejectedProposed Joint Rules for the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 Legislative SessionAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Did not vote9–29 · Amendment rejectedEarlier sessions (16)
Enhancing the health care market review processAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–30 · Amendment rejectedEnhancing the health care market review processAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No14–25 · Amendment rejectedEnhancing 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 adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes30–9 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No10–29 · Amendment rejectedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes29–9 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes29–9 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No12–27 · Amendment rejectedTo improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes9–30 · Amendment rejectedPromoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and servicesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No12–26 · Amendment rejectedRelative to forfeiture reformAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No10–29 · Amendment rejectedRelative to work and family mobilityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No10–29 · Amendment rejectedRegulating sports wageringAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes14–26 · Amendment rejectedDriving climate policy forwardAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No11–28 · 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 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 226
Water, sewer and environment 48
Roads, traffic and transit 22
Health and human services 21
Parks, recreation and libraries 17
Police, fire and public safety 14
Housing and zoning 13
Schools and education 12
Licenses and permits 11
Veterans 10
Energy and utilities 9
Elections and how government runs 5
Appointments and hiring 2
Bills they filed · 2025–2026
Lydia Edwards filed 46 bills as lead sponsor this session, including 1 filed “by request”. 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. Bills marked “by request” were filed for a constituent, as the state constitution’s right of petition allows, and may not reflect the legislator’s own view.
Housing and zoning 7
Taxes and budgets 2
Appointments and hiring 1
Roads, traffic and transit 1
Water, sewer and environment 1
Parks, recreation and libraries 1
Licenses and permits 1
Schools and education 1
Health and human services 1
Veterans 1
Other subjects 31
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 11, 2026).
Bills they signed on to · 2025–2026
Lydia Edwards signed on as a co-sponsor of 683 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 71
Schools and education 47
Water, sewer and environment 43
Housing and zoning 40
Police, fire and public safety 31
Taxes and budgets 28
Appointments and hiring 28
Roads, traffic and transit 22
Energy and utilities 17
Elections and how government runs 16
Veterans 14
Licenses and permits 6
Parks, recreation and libraries 3
Other subjects 368
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 10, 2026). Bills they filed themselves are not listed here.
How Lydia Edwards voted
631 recorded votes
Authorizing the town of Bourne to convey a right-of-way and easementFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire interests in certain portions of land owned by the town of Andover which were ac…Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting by and through its Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, to grant permanent ease…Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to convey easements over certain parcels of landFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to the Pilgrim Memorial Park in PlymouthFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the Buzzards Bay Water District to convey non-exclusive easements over a certain parcel of landFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes38–1 · PassedAuthorizing the town of Hingham to grant to the commonwealth of Massachusetts certain parcels of land in the town of Hingham for highway purposesFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the town of Nantucket conservation commission to convey a certain parcel of land situated in the town for purposes of conveyance to the to…Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to James J. O'Neil ParkFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedEnhancing child welfare protectionsAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes40–0 · PassedTo improve Massachusetts home careAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes40–0 · PassedAuthorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to take easements over certain land located in the city of Woburn and the town of Burlingto…Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the release or exclusion of certain land from conservation restrictions in the town of DeerfieldFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the town of Billerica to transfer control of certain land in the town of Billerica for the Yankee Doodle Bike PathFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the transfer of certain parcels of land in the town of Weston from the Weston conservation commission to the select boardFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to a conservation restriction in the town of MiddletonFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the Barnstable county and the town of Bourne to convey certain parcels of land and certain interests in land in the town of BourneFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to transfer certain parcels of land in the town of NortonFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelating to the transfer of interest in land in West BrookfieldFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water DistrictFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the town of Dighton to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposesFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedPromoting transparency and public access in state governmentApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes34–6 · PassedPromoting transparency and public access in state governmentAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No6–33 · Amendment rejectedPromoting transparency and public access in state governmentAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes40–0 · Amendment adoptedRelative to economic development in the commonwealthAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No5–34 · Amendment rejectedSource: 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