Washington (March 8, 2018) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today announced Massachusetts State Representative James Cantwell will be joining his offices as Massachusetts State Director. Cantwell has been a State Representative in the 4th Plymouth District since 2009, representing Marshfield and Scituate. Born and raised on the South Shore, Cantwell was Chairman of the Marshfield Board of Selectmen, served as an Assistant District Attorney in Norfolk Country, and co-founded a law firm in Quincy. As a State Representative, Cantwell is the principal sponsor and author of legislation creating a coastal protection/seawall fund, combatting opioid abuse, promoting the Massachusetts seafood industry, and protecting the civil rights of the disabled. He has championed issues such as services for the blind, Alzheimer’s disease awareness, and suicide prevention, serving at the House Chair of the Legislative Commission on Behavioral Health Promotion and Upstream Prevention, as well as House Chair of the Legislative Coastal Caucus. Cantwell and his wife, Jennifer, are the exceedingly proud parents of their son, Christopher, who is a senior at Marshfield High School and who will attend Harvard University this fall.
“Jim combines the selflessness of a public servant, the experience of a small business owner, and the commitment to social justice of a lawyer, and I am fortunate to have such a leader for my office in Massachusetts,” said Senator Markey. “Jim joins our team at a critical moment in our country’s history as we fight a damaging Trump agenda that would undermine the Massachusetts economy and our way of life. With decades of experience building coalitions, helping constituents, and crafting impactful policy, Jim shows he has the experience, integrity, and energy to direct my office. Jim has waged major battles on behalf of the people of Massachusetts, and I knew he will continue to fight to protect the families and future of the Commonwealth.”
“Senator Markey is a demonstrated leader on issues not just impacting Massachusetts but every family in our country, including his efforts to promote economic development, defend net neutrality, support civil rights, combat climate change, and invest in lasting infrastructure,” said Cantwell. “I have long admired Senator Markey, having met him for the first time during my freshman year at Boston College when he came to talk about the dangers of nuclear proliferation. As a state legislator I turned to Senator Markey and his staff for help time and again with numerous individual constituent matters and regional issues, including funding for coastal infrastructure, combating substance misuse, and fighting for affordable flood insurance. I am honored to join him and his extraordinary staff to continue his unmatched commitment to protecting the values and priorities of the Commonwealth. I thank the residents of Marshfield and Scituate for their friendship, support and civic engagement all these years, and I look forward to serving them and all of the Commonwealth in this new chapter of my career.”
“I congratulate Jim Cantwell on his new position with my friend Senator Markey,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “As a representative of a coastal community, I was proud to work with Jim on his vital efforts on flood insurance and seawall protection. Over the years, I’ve seen Jim lead efforts on a wide range of issues, including his work to promote behavioral health and to prevent substance misuse, and his statewide advocacy to influence federal issues. Jim’s work has been impactful in so many areas. He is a dedicated and committed representative who fought for the concerns of his district. I look forward to seeing the good work Jim does for Senator Markey and the Commonwealth in this new role.”
Senator Markey is top Democrat on the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Foreign Relations Committee and is a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; Environment and Public Works Committee; and Small Business Committee.
###
