About Me

Principled executive leader, social worker, and Doctor of Public Health catalyzing change for equitable health and well-being

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I am a dynamic and principled executive leader, social worker, and public health champion who believes in the power of people coming together—through government and through community action—to benefit our collective well-being.

A resident of Acton, a Doctor of Public Health, and a former State Representative for the 14th Middlesex District for four years, I am not afraid to stand up to those in power to advance racial, economic, and social justice.

In 2021-2022, I ran for Lieutenant Governor to lead an equitable, just recovery from COVID-19, combat the intersecting environmental, economic, and social crises facing our Commonwealth, and engage directly with municipalities around the state to amplify and support the work of local governments and community activists.

The Power of Government

Social Work, Public Health, Activism

Leading with Progressive Values

The Power of Government

I grew up in Lowell, a diverse mill city in Massachusetts. My family has deep roots in the city: my mom and great-grandparents worked in the mills along the Merrimack River, and my grandfather belonged to the carpenter’s union. Our working-class background gave me the benefits and opportunities to fight hard for the values I believe in, from racial and economic justice to gender equality and LGBTQ+ and disability rights.
As I grew up, I saw how the collective support that comes from government, neighbors, and community activism can make a difference in people’s lives and create conditions that support everyone. It was these early experiences—combined with the models of female leadership I met as a student at Mount Holyoke College—that would later motivate me to run for public office.
In 2008, I was laid off during the Great Recession. As a single mother, I had to dig deep to scrape together resources and opportunities to make ends meet for myself and my two children. It was through these experiences that I learned firsthand how difficult navigating job insecurity can be, especially for women. I carried these difficult experiences with me as a State Representative and throughout my tenure, I fought for economic justice with a deep sense of urgency.
PRIORITY

Protecting Workers

No one should live in poverty. Tami will fight to expand the social safety net and close the extreme income inequality gap in our state.

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Social Work, Public Health, Activism

In the middle of the pandemic, I earned a Doctorate of Public Health from the Boston University School of Public Health. During my 25-year career as a social worker, I led departmental units and efforts at the Office of the Massachusetts State Auditor, The Rippel Foundation, Tobacco Free Mass, and the Greater Lawrence Community Health Center. As an activist, I led advocacy efforts to protect children from exposure to environmental toxins, founded and chaired the Lowell Roundtable on Substance Abuse Prevention, and volunteered on statewide ballot initiatives, leading to an increase in the minimum wage, earned sick time, and paid leave for all Massachusetts workers.
In 2016, I stepped up to found and co-lead the Massachusetts Chapter of the Women’s March, organizing over 10,000 people from the state to attend the 2017 March in DC. That moment of resistance and solidarity in the face of reactionary power solidified my decision to run for office. In 2018 I was elected State Representative for the 14th Middlesex District, serving Acton, Chelmsford, Concord, and Carlisle.
PRIORITY

Healthcare for All

Tami will be a fierce advocate for healthcare for all, prioritizing controlling costs and eliminating the barriers to the care that so many people face.

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On Beacon Hill

I have been a strong progressive voice in the legislature and have:
Filed legislation to combat the opioid crisis and save lives by increasing access to Narcan, making addiction treatment more accessible, and securing over $400,000 for fentanyl testing programs.
Defended reproductive justice, LGBTQ+, and women’s rights by advocating to protect abortion access and comprehensive public sex education, and by securing funding for Budget Buddies, an organization that serves low-income women throughout the Merrimack Valley, MetroWest, and Greater Boston.
Advocated for criminal justice reform by supporting efforts to ban the use of tear gas, limit no-knock warrants and qualified immunity, and lower the threshold of evidence for decertifying abusive police officers.
Filed legislation to prevent and treat childhood trauma, including trauma caused by poverty, racism, xenophobia, and cultural dehumanization.
Led the fight for greater transparency in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, including making my committee votes public, increasing the amount of time allotted to review bills, filing legislation to re-instate Speaker term limits, and standing for roll call votes on bills and amendments to increase the number and type of recorded votes.
Stood up for the LGBTQ+ community in my very first floor speech, which led to the passage of a statewide ban on conversion therapy. 
Passed several pieces of legislation to combat climate change and advance transportation equity.

Progressive Leadership

We need statewide leadership that will bring everyone along and center those most harmed by the intersecting environmental, economic, and public health crises facing our Commonwealth.

Healthcare for All

Climate Justice

Liveable Communities

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