Arena-DeRosa Receives Massachusetts Teachers Association Endorsement

HOLLISTON, MA - James Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a candidate for the 8th Middlesex State House District, was endorsed Wednesday by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which represents thousands of teachers and educational staff across the commonwealth.

This is the second major endorsement for the candidate, who also received the support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO on Wednesday.

“The MTA is pleased to recommend James Arena-DeRosa to represent the 8th Middlesex District,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy. “James is a strong advocate for working people and a leader in fighting for policies that address poverty and hunger, particularly in our public schools. We can trust James, a former adjunct faculty member himself, to fight for justice and the rights of all education professionals.”

The Massachusetts MTA is the first teachers union to endorse in this year’s race for the 8th Middlesex State House seat as the election season is starting to gain momentum.

“On Beacon Hill and in the State House, I wish to be an advocate for our schools,our teachers and our students,” said Arena-DeRosa. “That is why I am thrilled to have the endorsement of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. If elected as state representative, I will be a close ally of all teachers both within our district and across the commonwealth, so that we can build an education system that benefits us all.”

He also said he is running to ensure that smaller communities in MetroWest have "a seat at the table" in conversations about infrastructure, climate change, elder care, the retention of young talent, and education.

DeRosa has decades of experience in advocacy from his roles with Oxfam America, the Peace Corps, and the United States Department of Agriculture in the Obama Administration.

The 8th Middlesex State House District includes Holliston, Hopkinton, Sherborn,
and precincts two and three of Millis. The seat has no incumbent since Rep. Carolyn Dykema’s resignation in February.

DeRosa is running against Hopkinton Town Clerk Connor Degan for the seat.

Representative David Linsky’s 5th Middlesex District no longer includes Millis and Sherborn due to redistricting.

For more information about Arena-DeRosa's candidacy, visit jamesforstaterep.com.