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State Senator
Vanna Howard
First Middlesex District · Democrat
Towns: Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Pepperell, Tyngsborough (some only in part)
- 2025–2026 State Senator, First Middlesex · Democrat
- 2025–2026 State Representative, 17th Middlesex · Democrat
- 2023–2024 State Representative, 17th Middlesex · Democrat
- 2021–2022 State Representative, 17th 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 Senate | 98 of 98 | 19 | 1 of 36 |
| 2025–2026 House | 140 of 140 | 40 | 1 of 110 |
| 2023–2024 House | 201 of 201 | 22 | 0 of 106 |
| 2021–2022 House | 235 of 235 | 40 | 1 of 116 |
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 Emergency Preparedness and Management Chair
- Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
- Joint Committee on Higher Education
- Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
- Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
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 farMissed 0 of 140 roll calls (served part of the session)Rank 1 of 162 representatives · Every roll call100%voted2023–2024Missed 0 of 201 roll callsRank 1 of 164 representatives · Every roll call100%voted2021–2022Missed 0 of 235 roll callsRank 1 of 161 representatives · Every roll call100%votedRoll calls this member did not vote on, while serving in the House. Ties share a rank. The record does not say why a member did not vote. See every representative →
Campaign money
Where the 2025–26 contributions came from
Gifts from individuals
Contributions deposited since Sep 30: $8,125, 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 | $60,165 | $116,530 | $23,211 so far |
| 2025 | $64,859 | $66,232 | $75,974 |
| 2024 | $21,885 | $4,418 | $73,860 |
| 2023 | $21,647 | $5,935 | $56,393 |
| 2022 | $34,428 | $3,601 | $40,681 |
| 2021 | $2,508 | $4,927 | $9,854 |
| 2020 | $34,016 | $21,743 | $12,273 |
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
- Massachusetts Tightens Rules on Data Centers as AI Boom Hits HomeNew Bedford Guide · Jul 8, 2026
Stories that name Vanna Howard 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 Vanna Howard 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 rejectedStrengthening health care protections in the CommonwealthAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes130–29 · Amendment adoptedStrengthening health care protections in the CommonwealthAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No30–129 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2026Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No30–126 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2026Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No28–128 · Amendment rejectedEarlier sessions (20)
Modernizing firearm lawsAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes124–33 · PassedRelative to the Affordable Homes ActAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No30–127 · Amendment rejectedRelative to the Affordable Homes ActAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No32–126 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No30–127 · Amendment rejectedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes123–35 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes120–36 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No29–128 · Amendment rejectedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes121–33 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No29–125 · Amendment rejectedModernizing firearm lawsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes120–38 · PassedRelative to work and family mobilityOverride the Governor's vetoVoted: Yes119–36 · Veto overridden (needs two-thirds)Relative to work and family mobilityFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes117–36 · PassedRelative to work and family mobilityAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes118–36 · PassedRelative to work and family mobilityApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes120–36 · PassedFostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and securityOn adoption of a further amendmentVoted: No93–64 · Amendment adoptedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of permanent House Rules for the 192nd General Court governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessio…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No39–119 · Amendment rejectedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of permanent House Rules for the 192nd General Court governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessio…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No41–117 · Amendment rejectedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of permanent House Rules for the 192nd General Court governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessio…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No38–121 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…of 2021 on again agreeing to the amendmentVoted: Yes121–39 · Amendment adoptedProposed Joint Rules governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessionAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No38–121 · 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 281
Water, sewer and environment 55
Health and human services 43
Roads, traffic and transit 36
Energy and utilities 33
Schools and education 30
Housing and zoning 22
Parks, recreation and libraries 19
Police, fire and public safety 17
Elections and how government runs 15
Veterans 7
Licenses and permits 6
Appointments and hiring 3
Bills they filed · 2025–2026
Vanna Howard filed 5 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 1
Other subjects 4
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 11, 2026).
Bills they signed on to · 2025–2026
Vanna Howard signed on as a co-sponsor of 11 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.
Appointments and hiring 2
Housing and zoning 1
Other subjects 8
Source: malegislature.gov (as of Oct 10, 2026). Bills they filed themselves are not listed here.
How Vanna Howard voted
728 recorded votes
Authorizing the commonwealth to dispose of certain parcels of land in the town of Upton acquired for conservation and recreation purposesFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes158–0 · PassedResolutions rescinding previous Article V Convention applicationsOn adoption of the resolutionsVoted: Yes155–3 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2025Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes145–8 · PassedTo build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformationApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes148–5 · PassedTo build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformationOn adoption of consolidated amendment AVoted: Yes149–4 · Amendment adoptedTo improve Massachusetts home careApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes153–1 · PassedTo improve Massachusetts home careAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes154–0 · Amendment adoptedAmending certain laws relative to individuals with disabilitiesApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes154–0 · PassedRelative to teacher preparation and student literacyApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes155–0 · PassedRelative to teacher preparation and student literacyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes155–0 · Amendment adoptedRelative to teacher preparation and student literacyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes133–22 · Amendment adoptedRelative to teacher preparation and student literacyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes133–22 · Amendment adoptedRelative to teacher preparation and student literacyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes140–15 · Amendment adoptedRelative to teacher preparation and student literacyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No23–131 · Amendment rejectedExpanding student access to the state seal of biliteracyApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes155–0 · PassedRelative to personal financial literacy educationApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes155–0 · PassedEnhancing child welfare protectionsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes159–1 · PassedEnhancing child welfare protectionsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes160–0 · Amendment adoptedEnhancing child welfare protectionsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes159–1 · Amendment adoptedRelative to assault and battery upon a transit workerApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes160–0 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2025Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes141–14 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2025On adoption of consolidated amendment BVoted: Yes151–4 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2025On adoption of consolidated amendment AVoted: Yes144–11 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes147–8 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2026Shall item 7077-0023 (Tufts Veterinary SchoolVoted: Yes148–7 · 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