This email just arrived:
Dear Friend –
I am writing to inform you that after much thought and careful consideration, I am resigning my seat in the Massachusetts Senate to accept a partnership position at the preeminent law firm, McDermott, Will & Emery.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the more complex and important decisions of my life.
While it is difficult to leave my position as your Senator, a job that I have loved and enjoyed for so many years, my new position will allow me to spend more time with my wife, Ann and daughters, Isabella and Victoria.
My decision to leave the State Senate affords me a rare opportunity to be part of one of the most respected and renowned law firms in the country.
Looking back over the past ten years, I am particularly proud of the contributions I have made in reforming our transportation system, improving public safety, keeping government spending in check, and making state government more transparent and accountable. All of these accomplishments would not have been possible without your encouragement, friendship, and support.
Along with the honor of serving the public, I will miss the daily contact with local officials, community and civic leaders, business owners, and my colleagues in the House and Senate. But most of all, I will miss working with citizens like you who have been my motivation for over ten years.
The privilege of representing you in the Senate has been a remarkable and challenging experience—one that I will always cherish.
As a result of your unwavering trust, confidence, and generous support, I remain humbled and eternally grateful. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Steve Baddour
So, another open Senate seat. Baddour’s district is First Essex – the northernmost district in the state – which includes Haverhill, Newburyport, Amesbury, Merrimac, Methuen, parts of North Andover, and Salisbury. Likely contenders?
kate says
Interesting. He says resign and I’m assuming he means just that. Or is he possibly using the word informally and he is simply not running for re-election?
David says
It reads as though he is actually resigning, i.e., vacating the seat now. Which of course will raise the question whether there will be a special election. My guess is that there will not, since there apparently won’t be for the House seats vacated by Vincent Pedone and Will Brownsberger earlier this year.
kate says
I would be expecting no special, so it is pretty much irrelevant. Unless I hear otherwise, I would assume an actual resignation, based on the language in the information that was posted.
stomv says
You need to resign for health or family reasons, that’s cool. I respect that. Resign for a higher office which is available now? I respect that too.
However, resigning to take another job *now* instead of 8 months from now? Bah. You told your constituents you would serve them until the end of 2012, and while it’s not a guarantee set in stone, ceasing the service of the people because you’re taking a job in the private sector simply doesn’t meet the bar for me.
Maybe low class is the wrong phrase. I don’t know the right phrase; I do know that I consider it inappropriate and this kind of reneging simply isn’t necessary.