Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) has been nominated by Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and affirmed by a vote of her colleagues to be the First Division Chair of the House of Representatives for the 190th Massachusetts General Court. She had previously served as the House Chair for the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses.

Ferrante’s new position as a Division Chair carries the responsibility of serving as a mentor and leader for representatives in her division, about a quarter of the Democrats in the House of Representatives. Ferrante will also be one of nine Democrats who meet with the Speaker on a weekly basis to discuss House policy and legislation.

“I’m honored to be a part of Speaker DeLeo’s leadership team,” said Ferrante. “Under the Republican leadership of Trump, McConnell, and Ryan, I expect the Federal government to send more decisions about policy and budgeting items back to the states, making our roles as state representatives all the more important. I’m humbled to have been given this responsibility and opportunity to help chart the legislative course of the Commonwealth and I remain dedicated to making sure Cape Ann has a strong voice at the table so that our communities get their fair share.”

“Representative Ferrante is an exceptional coalition builder who approaches her work with great respect for her colleagues and recognizes the importance of bringing diverse voices to the table,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “She is a woman of outstanding intellect which she couples with a commitment to public service. I look forward to seeing the good work she will do this session on behalf of her constituents and the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

In addition to her role as First Division Chair, Ferrante has been appointed to serve on the House Rules Committee and the House Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, as well as continuing to serve as the House Chair of the Tech Hub Caucus, a gathering of technology business leaders and legislative leaders. Ferrante’s co-chair is Senate Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka.

“Ann-Margaret is passionate about her communities beyond her elected office,” said John Bell, former Mayor of Gloucester and community activist. “From the establishment of cultural districts in Essex, Gloucester, and Rockport to the opening of Gloucester Biotechnology Academy and Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Representative Ferrante is there to make sure that state dollars and legislative support come to Cape Ann to bring new projects forward. I can only imagine in her new position as a leader in the House, Representative Ferrante will remain a steadfast defender of our fishing industry while bringing innovation to Cape Ann.”

Prior to serving as the House Chair for the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, Ferrante had also previously served as the House Vice Chair of the Joint Committee Economic Development and Emerging Technology, the House Vice Chair of the Committee on Environmental Resources and Agriculture, and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee.