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State Senator
Pavel M. Payano
First Essex District · Democrat
Towns: Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen (some only in part)
- 2025–2026 State Senator, First Essex · Democrat
- 2023–2024 State Senator, First Essex · Democrat (as Pavel Payano)
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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 | 237 of 237 | 61 | 1 of 102 |
| 2023–2024 | 250 of 250 | 47 | 0 of 85 |
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 Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Chair
- Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity
- Joint Committee on Education
- Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
- Joint Committee on Higher Education
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
- Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice
- Senate Committee on Steering and Policy
- 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 0 of 237 roll callsRank 1 of 40 senators · Every roll call100%voted2023–2024SenateMissed 0 of 250 roll callsRank 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
Year by year
| Year | Raised | Spent | Cash at the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $18,590 | $19,212 | $31,318 so far |
| 2025 | $48,093 | $27,956 | $31,941 |
| 2024 | $13,614 | $23,008 | $11,803 |
| 2023 | $23,092 | $8,785 | $21,129 |
| 2022 | $99,304 | $112,039 | $5,222 |
| 2021 | $18,618 | $1,101 | $17,958 |
| 2020 | $16 | $366 | $440 |
| 2019 | $6,393 | $8,066 | $790 |
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
- Massachusetts Democratic Lawmakers Advance PROTECT Act Limiting State Cooperation With ICENew Bedford Guide · Jul 29, 2026
Stories that name Pavel M. Payano 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 Pavel M. Payano 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: Yes19–20 · 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: No10–28 · Amendment rejectedFiscal Year 2025 Supplemental AppropriationsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No12–26 · Amendment rejectedProposed Joint Rules for the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 Legislative SessionAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–29 · Amendment rejectedEarlier sessions (10)
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: No9–30 · 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 187
Water, sewer and environment 27
Health and human services 18
Roads, traffic and transit 16
Police, fire and public safety 14
Housing and zoning 10
Schools and education 9
Parks, recreation and libraries 9
Licenses and permits 7
Energy and utilities 6
Veterans 5
Elections and how government runs 4
Appointments and hiring 2
Bills they filed · 2025–2026
Pavel M. Payano filed 52 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.
Schools and education 13
Health and human services 4
Licenses and permits 3
Roads, traffic and transit 3
Appointments and hiring 2
Housing and zoning 1
Energy and utilities 1
Veterans 1
Police, fire and public safety 1
Other subjects 27
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 11, 2026).
Bills they signed on to · 2025–2026
Pavel M. Payano signed on as a co-sponsor of 859 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 109
Schools and education 75
Police, fire and public safety 40
Water, sewer and environment 37
Housing and zoning 32
Appointments and hiring 29
Taxes and budgets 26
Roads, traffic and transit 26
Elections and how government runs 15
Licenses and permits 15
Veterans 15
Energy and utilities 13
Parks, recreation and libraries 5
Other subjects 481
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 10, 2026). Bills they filed themselves are not listed here.
How Pavel M. Payano voted
487 recorded votes
To improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No5–32 · Amendment rejectedTo improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes33–5 · Amendment adoptedTo improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equityAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No9–30 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2024Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No3–36 · Amendment rejectedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No5–34 · Amendment rejectedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No4–35 · Amendment rejectedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No5–34 · Amendment rejectedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes38–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No3–37 · Amendment rejectedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes38–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedBill S.3Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedSource: 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