Preceded by Anthony Verga Role Politician Name Ann-Margaret Ferrante | Occupation Politician Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party | |
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Residence Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States | ||
Groundfish industry rally mass state rep ann margaret ferrante
Ann-Margaret Ferrante (born June 26, 1972) is an American legislator and the First Division Chair of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 5th Essex district, which consists of Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected in 2008 after defeating incumbent representative Anthony Verga in the Democratic primary. Currently, she serves on the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling and the House Committee on Rules. She is also co-chair of the Tech-Hub Caucus, which focuses on fostering growth of Massachusetts’ high-tech businesses and startups.
Contents
- Groundfish industry rally mass state rep ann margaret ferrante
- Ann margaret ferrante democratic city committee speech
- Early life education and career
- Elections
- Tenure
- References
A graduate of Tufts University with a major in Economics & International Relations, she furthered her education at Suffolk Law School. After graduating from law school, she practiced law in Gloucester and Rockport, specializing in fisheries issues. She has served on numerous boards and commissions in the community, including Cape Ann Commercial Fisherman’s Loan Fund, Sawyer Free Library, and as an incorporator with Cape Ann Savings Bank.
Ann margaret ferrante democratic city committee speech
Early life, education, and career
Ann-Margaret Ferrante was born on June 26, 1972 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Her mother was a librarian in the local high school, and her father became a fisherman in Gloucester after immigrating from Sicily. She graduated from Gloucester High School and when on to study Economics and International Relations at Tufts University in Boston.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Tufts University, Ferrante went to work as the Legislative Aide for State Representative Bruce Tarr. In 1996 she left her position with Representative Tarr in order to pursue a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. Ferrante was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1999. Shortly after graduating from Suffolk Law, Ferrante started her own law firm in Gloucester, where she focused on land use and fishing issues. She also served as counsel for the Northeast Seafood Coalition, where she began working to reform the regulatory practices affecting commercial fisherman.
Elections
2008
Ferrante first ran for State Representative in 2008, challenging incumbent Democrat Anthony Verga on a platform of promoting Gloucester's port as a state asset, advocating sustainable regulations for the fishing industry, encouraging research and investment in education and workforce training, as well as many other issues affecting residents of the 5th Essex District. She received 46.9% of the vote in the Democratic primary, compared to Verga's 39.8%, with Gloucester attorney Astrid AfKlinteberg taking 13.3% of vote.
In the general election, Verga mounted a write-in campaign to retain his seat, but was defeated by Ferrante by a large margin.
2010
In 2010, Ferrante defeated Gloucester business consultant Janet Holmes, a Republican, to win a second term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with 7,485 votes to Holmes' 4,078.
2012
Ferrante ran unopposed in 2012 and was re-elected to a third term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
2014
In 2014, Ferrante defeated former Rockport selectman and financial adviser Michael Boucher, a Republican, to win a fourth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with 6,490 votes against Boucher's 4,279.
2016
Ferrante ran unopposed in 2016 and was re-elected to a fifth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Tenure
Ferrante is currently the First Division Chair of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and serves on the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling and the House Committee on Rules. She is also co-chair of the Tech-Hub Caucus. During her time in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Ferrante has served on a number of committees, including as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. She has served as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, the House Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and the House Vice Chair for the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.