Lydia Edwards

Lydia Marie Edwards was born on December 13, 1981, and is an American attorney and politician representing the Third Suffolk district in the Massachusetts State Senate. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has been serving in the State Senate since 2022. Edwards is the first woman and person of color to represent her senate district.

Throughout her career, Edwards has focused on advocating for vulnerable and underrepresented communities. She began her legal career as a Law Clerk for the Massachusetts Superior Court, where she worked on civil and criminal cases. She later served as a Litigation Associate at Holland & Knight LLP, a national law firm.

In her role as Director of Legal Services at the Brazilian Immigrant Center, Edwards provided direct legal assistance to immigrant workers facing wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation. Her work ensured that hundreds of low-wage workers had access to fair treatment and legal recourse.

Beyond her civilian work, Edwards joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 2023 as a First Lieutenant and Judge Advocate General Officer, providing legal counsel to service members.

Education and Political Experience

Edwards launched and led Boston's first-ever Office of Housing Stability in 2016 as Deputy Director, where she managed urgent housing cases, advocated for tenants' rights, and created innovative policies to combat housing displacement and protect renters.

She was elected to the Boston City Council in November 2017, representing the 1st district, which includes the North End, East Boston, and Charlestown. She served on the City Council from January 2018 until her resignation at the end of April 2022.

In 2016, Edwards ran as an unsuccessful Democratic candidate in a special election for the Massachusetts State Senate. She ran again in 2022 and won the Democratic primary on December 15, 2021, defeating Revere School Committee member Anthony D'Ambrosio by a 60–40 margin. She has served as a State Senator since 2022, focusing on lowering costs, expanding opportunity, and ensuring every community has a voice.