State Sen. Marc Pacheco announced this week that he will retire from the Senate, where he has served 31 years and is currently the longest-tenured senator.
The Taunton Democrat joined the Senate in 1993 after two terms in the House, and in recent years has embraced the title of “dean” in press releases and other communications.
In addition to the city of Taunton, Pacheco’s Third Bristol and Plymouth district includes Berkley, Dighton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Carver, Marion, Middleboro, and Wareham.
His retirement opens up a purple Senate seat as new MassGOP leadership is ramping up its efforts in competitive districts. Taunton voters have elected former Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, a Republican, since 2019. Rep. Carol Doherty of Taunton, a Democrat, represents much of Taunton on Beacon Hill, while Republican Rep. Steven Howitt lives in Seekonk and Republican Rep. Susan Williams Gifford lives in Wareham.
In a two-page farewell posted Tuesday on Facebook, Pacheco said the decision came “after conversations with my family and my staff.”
Pacheco achieved one of his signature legacies — the state anti-privatization law known as the Pacheco Law — during his first term in the Senate. In his farewell letter, he also highlighted his efforts to keep Taunton State Hospital open, secure funding for local projects, and call for action on climate change and offshore wind energy.
“We need to move forward urgently in adopting and funding policies that will implement bold climate action,” he wrote, adding that he was “pleased to have had the opportunity to be at the forefront on the issue of climate change not only here in the Commonwealth, but nationally and internationally.”
Pacheco has been active with the National Conference of State Legislatures and Council of State Governments, and served as founding chair of the CSG U.S. State Legislative Climate Alliance. An international traveler who attends conferences around the globe, the state senator has been decorated with high honors by foreign governments, including the Republic of Portugal’s Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, and the Republic of Austria’s Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold with Star.
In his announcement, Pacheco, 71, left his options open for pretty much any other government role.
“This decision does not mean I’m closing the door on other existing or future electoral or appointed positions in public service,” he wrote.