Newly elected state lawmakers will be inaugurated into office Thursday. Ahead of their first terms in the legislature, Spectrum News spoke with three incoming lawmakers about their preparations for their new jobs.

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State Sen.-Elect Robyn Kennedy will represent the 1^st Worcester District. The Democrat replaces retiring state Sen. Harriette Chandler (D), who was the first woman elected to represent Worcester in the state Senate.

Since you are replacing state Sen. Chandler, who had years of service and influence in the Senate, how do you make up for that and have your own voice heard?

“Many of the issues that Senator Chandler cared about, I care about as well. I envision that there will be many of her priorities that will be my priorities as well. There’s new challenges we’re facing, there’s new issues on the horizon. I look forward to bringing a new perspective to those challenges and to those issues.”

Is there a particular issue that you focused on during your campaign that you feel confident about getting accomplished?

“One of the things that prompted me to get into the race is investing in our workforce, particularly early education and care. Coming from the YWCA, I saw firsthand the struggle providers are having in maintaining and growing a workforce so that we can provide quality early education and care in our community. And recognizing the critical importance of that field, which was highlighted during the pandemic – that’s going to be a priority of mine.”

What do you think will be your biggest challenge you'll have to overcome as a freshman lawmaker?

“Government, because it’s a deliberative body, can move slow. You have so much you want to get accomplished and see get done, and it takes time to be thoughtful, to have all voices heard. It takes time because there are so many competing priorities, and it takes time to build up the relationships with your colleagues to be able to build consensus. It’s part of the nature of the work in government but working on that pace will be something I’ll be adjusting to.”

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State Sen.-Elect Paul Mark (D-Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden) is taking on a new role in the state legislature. He had served as the state representative for the 2^nd Berkshire District since 2011. He replaces outgoing state Sen. Adam Hinds (D), who did not seek reelection following his failed bid for lieutenant governor.

Is there a particular issue that you focused on during your campaign that you feel confident about getting accomplished?

“The biggest thing we talk about in western Massachusetts, and in the Berkshires specifically, is making sure that our voice is heard down in Boston. It’s always a challenge because we have so many communities. And so, the challenge becomes how do you balance your time properly, how do you make sure that you’re building the relationships you need effectively, and that every piece of legislation, whether it’s a budget bill or a bond bill, has the imprint of this region.

“That’s the biggest priority and the biggest challenge. I’ve had good success doing that on the House side, and I think we’re gonna have the chance to work together with other rural colleagues and other parts of the state to make sure that small town voice isn’t ignored in the Senate.”

Is there any learning curve or big differences in transitioning from the House to the Senate?

“There’s definitely a learning curve. This is a job where you have success based on being able to work together with other people. So just making sure that, while I know the legislative process, that you’re still respectful of the fact that there’s a different flow to things, there’s a different way that this is going to be done, that you have to get up to speed with those differences.”

How prepared do you feel transitioning over to the State Senate?

“I feel well prepared coming over to the Senate with six terms of experience from the House. I have a lot of relationships already with current senators and new senators coming in as well. And the biggest challenge in being prepared is the district itself. I’m going from a representative district of 16 communities to a Senate district that has 57 cities and towns in all four western counties. So, the geography and getting to meet people in new towns I’ve never had before, that’s probably been the most difficult thing to do.”

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State Rep.-Elect Shirley Arriaga will represent the 8^th Hampden District. The Democrat is replacing outgoing state Rep. Joseph Wagner (D), who is retiring after serving in the House for 30 years.

Do you feel you'll be able to make sure central and western Massachusetts has its voices heard despite being a geographical minority?

“Absolutely. We all know the common theme that the middle of the state tends to be forgotten, but I’m not going into it with that mentality. We all live in the commonwealth, and if it benefits one side of the state it’s going to benefit the other.

“I’m all about teamwork and bringing the eastern delegations to the western side of the state. I feel very confident that the upcoming administration won’t be forgetting western Mass., and I will do everything I can for western Massachusetts.”

What do you think will be your biggest challenge you'll have to overcome as a freshman lawmaker?

“Getting things done, because we can go in there with a hundred million ideas and all this energy, however if we don’t have the votes to get things done and have our voices heard, that can be the big initial challenge. Making sure that the issues that matter the most to my community and my district here are heard by leadership. I aim to do as much as I can, possibly knowing that as a freshman that’s going to be a little difficult.”

How prepared do you feel ahead of your first time in the legislature?

“I feel very confident. It was a question that was asked several times throughout the campaign, and when you prepare for something, you know you give it your all, you know your qualified to do so. I think I’m well situated. I’ve been lucky and blessed to have been able to not only connect and learn from leader Wagner, but also the western Massachusetts delegation. They’ve all been really helpful, and it feels like one team. It almost starts to feel like the military. I served for 10 years and there’s a team and camaraderie that we’re all together in, and I’m starting to get that feeling.”