Who represents you in the Governor’s Council?
Introduction
In the complex web of state government, the Massachusetts Governor’s Council stands as a unique and often misunderstood institution. Established by the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, the Governor’s Council plays a crucial role in the state’s governance. Comprising eight elected members and the Lieutenant Governor, the Council meets weekly to:
“record advice and consent on warrants for the state treasury, pardons and commutations, and recording advice and consent to gubernatorial appointments such as judges, clerk-magistrates, public administrators, members of the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board, Industrial Accident Board and Industrial Accident Reviewing Board, notaries, and justices of the peace.”1
In addition to its formal constitutional duties, the council serves as an advisory body to the Governor. Members may be consulted on various matters, offering their expertise and insights on issues affecting the state.
The most important role of the Governor’s Council is approving judges nominated by the governor. Think of the covid lockdowns, the battle over vaccine requirements, the fight for free speech, the fight to keep transgender ideology out of our public schools, and other important issues that will inevitably land at the feet of our judges in the very near future. Think of all the legal cases brought before judges that decide our lives. That is how important the judges are and, therefore, how important the people who choose those judges are.
“Hurley said it is up to members of the Governor’s Council to lobby the governor and lieutenant governor to fill vacancies as they crop up in their region’s courts. “You want a governor’s councilor who is going to lobby for their district to have judges who can fill the spots,”2
The Structure
The Massachusetts Governor’s Council comprises nine members, with eight elected councilors and the Lieutenant Governor serving as an ex officio member and the presiding officer. These councilors are elected from eight councilor districts, each representing a specific state region. The Lieutenant Governor is elected independently but automatically becomes a council member.
Any person seeking to become a member of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least eighteen years of age
- Be a registered voter in Massachusetts
- Be a Massachusetts resident for at least five years when elected
- Receive 1,000 signatures from registered voters on nomination papers
- residency in the district is not a requirement
The eight councilors serve two-year terms. The council convenes weekly, with meetings typically open to the public. While the Lieutenant Governor presides over the meetings, any councilor has the authority to preside in his or her absence. Live streams and recordings of past meetings can be watched here:Governor’s Council Livestream.
Notable, relatively recent, actions of the Governor’s Council
Gov. Healey’s former romantic partner, Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian, approved to SJC
Governor’s Council approves all 7 of Healey’s pardon recommendations
Polito deals with Governor’s Council anger
The Governor’s Council only denied 1 judge in 6 years; Here’s why
Current Council Members
| 1st | Joseph C. Ferreira | Democrat | Swansea | 2015 |
| 2nd | Vacant | |||
| 3rd | Marilyn Petitto Devaney | Democrat | Watertown | 1999 |
| 4th | Christopher A. Iannella | Democrat | Boston | 1993 |
| 5th | Eileen Duff | Democrat | Gloucester | 2013 |
| 6th | Terrence W. Kennedy | Democrat | Lynnfield | 2012 |
| 7th | Paul DePalo | Democrat | Worcester | 2021 |
| 8th | Tara J. Jacobs | Democrat | North Adams | 2023 |
Upcoming Elections in 2024
Five candidates have filed with the OCPF to fill the vacant Councilor’s seat for the 2nd District, which became open when, almost immediately after his reelection to the council, Robert Jubinville was appointed as Clerk Magistrate of the Framingham District Court in December 20223 by then Governor Charlie Baker.
2nd District Candidates
| David Reservitz | Democrat | Needham |
| Sean Murphy | Democrat | Bridgewater |
| Francis Crimmins, Jr. | Republican | Stoughton |
| Muriel Kramer | Democrat | Hopkinton |
| Tamisha Civil | Democrat | Stoughton |
Declared candidates for other districts are listed below:
| 1st | Krysten Condon | Unenrolled | Wareham |
| 4th | Ronald Iacobucci | Democrat | Quincy |
| 4th | Stacey Borden | Democrat | Dorchester |
| 5th | Jody Elliott | Unenrolled | Salem |
| 5th | Eunice Zeigler | Democrat | Methuen |
| 5th | Anne Manning-Martin | Republican | Peabody |
| 7th | Couture, Andrew J. | Republican | Fitchburg |
Keep an eye on this space for Governor’s Council elections updates.
by CFT
Sources
Massachusetts First 
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