Former Newton City Councilor Auchincloss Sworn Into Congress

NEWTON, MA — Former Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss was sworn into the 117th Congress to represent the 4th District of Massachusetts Sunday. He said the pandemic remains his top focus.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of the Massachusetts 4th," Auchincloss said in a statement. "During this Congress we have a tremendous responsibility to end the COVID-19 pandemic and begin rebuilding an economy that works for everyone: working families, women, communities of color, and small businesses."

Auchincloss said as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to swear in, there comes a chance to move beyond divisiveness and tackle the perennial issues of climate change, racial injustice and inequity in opportunity.

Auchincloss was appointed to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and will maintain the district offices in Newton and Attleboro previously occupied by former Congressman Joe Kennedy.

Auchincloss announced several senior staff hires, including longtime Newton official Dana Hanson as his district director. Tim Hysom, a Capitol Hill veteran, will be his chief of staff.

The district stretches from Brookline and Newton down through Taunton and Attleboro into northern Fall River.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.