Patrick O'Connor ()

Senator Patrick M. O'Connor is a Republican representing the First Plymouth and Norfolk District in the Massachusetts State Senate, which includes the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth. Born on August 13, 1984, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, he was first elected to the Senate in a special election on May 10, 2016, defeating Democratic candidate Joan Meschino with 53% of the vote, following Robert Hedlund's resignation to become mayor of Weymouth. He won a full term in November 2016 and has since advanced to the role of Assistant Minority Leader.

Education and Political Experience

O'Connor's political career began with his election to the Weymouth Town Council in 2005, where he later served as president in 2014, appointed unanimously by council peers across parties. As council president, he created the Mental Health and Substance Use Committee to combat the opioid epidemic and chaired the Public Safety Committee, advocating for police, fire personnel, and enhanced monitoring of sex offenders.

From 2007 to 2015, he served as legislative director to State Senator Bob Hedlund, authoring bills, developing policy initiatives, and assisting constituents across the district.

Notable Achievements and Positions

O'Connor has passed legislation establishing a registry for abusive caretakers to protect individuals with disabilities, addressing cliff effects for low-income families, and forming a commission to study housing for adults with disabilities. His office emphasizes constituent services, and he maintains strong bipartisan relationships in the Senate and House.