Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo Announces Bid For Reelection

BROOKLINE, MA — Before a room full of supporters Sunday at Hops N Scotch in Coolidge Corner, Rep. Tommy Vitolo, a Democrat, announced he is running for a second term representing the 15th Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

In 2018 Vitolo, who lives in Brookline, won the seat after Rep. Frank Smizek retired. This year's primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1, and the general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

So far, he's the only candidate running. Still, challengers have until May 3 to return paperwork that indicates they're running.

Vitolo highlighted what he's been up to in legislature for the past year in a statement.

"I've spent my first year in the legislature working hard for our community and our Commonwealth" said Vitolo. "While we've made progress on matters of social and economic justice, public education, and environment and climate, important work remains. I'm asking Brookline to send me back to Beacon Hill for a second term, so I can continue fighting for our values."

In his first budget season, Vitolo points to working with other area state reps and Sen. Cindy Creem to secure $250,000 for the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, $125,000 for the Coolidge Corner Theatre, $25,000 for Steps to Success, and $50,000 to study the creation of a park along the C Line MBTA tracks.

On his watch in the state legislature, he voted on laws protecting LGBTQ teenagers, families receiving public assistance, low-income women seeking family planning services.

Vitolo also points to the Student Opportunity Act (which both branches of the state legislature passed unanimously last year) as other successes that have prepared him for a second two-year term. The act aims to increase spending on public K-12 education by $1.5 billion during seven years.

Another act Vitolo said he is proud to have voted on is Speaker Robert DeLeo's GreenWorks bill. It passed the House unanimously and if makes it through the Senate and gets a signature from Gov. Charlie Baker, it would fund $1.3 billion in municipal climate change mitigation and resiliency projects if passed.

"Relationships are critical, and I rely on them every day both to ensure Brookline is supported by state government and to make progress on bills that align with our values," said Vitolo in a statement. "I've had several important successes thus far, and will keep advocating on behalf of our community."

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).