State Rep. William Straus will not seek re-election in November, first elected in 1993

NEW BEDFORD — State Rep. William Straus, D-Mattapoisett, has announced that he will not be seeking re-election to the 10th Bristol District seat he has held since 1993.

Straus, who has been chair of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation for over a decade, made the announcement Thursday on his Facebook page:

"The voters of the 10th Bristol District have honored me since 1992 to be their voice on Beacon Hill. It is a humbling experience to hold this responsibility and I will always be grateful for the confidence expressed in me.

"I am writing today, however, to let you know that the current legislative session at the State House will be my last. I will not be a candidate for re-election in November.

"This is not an easy decision as there are always more issues and projects to work on. There is much to do in the rest of the session and I will be fully engaged in these matters.

"There is plenty of time ahead to reflect on accomplishments over the years. The completion later this year of South Coast Rail, is certainly on that list, though.

'Public service is not a solo act'

"Everything, however, that I've been able to do has depended on working with others. Despite the temptation to think otherwise, public service is not a solo act. I have, and have had, great colleagues in public service to work with; I have a staff which in my mind is unmatched. But most of all, the support and sacrifices by my family have made my service to the district possible.

"Thank you again to the voters of the 10th Bristol District for your support over the years. I don't intend to go away entirely and so I look forward to working with many of you in the future."

Won primary in 2022 by largest margin in career

Straus, 67, won re-election over Republican Jeffrey Swift, 10,648 to 8,280, in 2022.

He won the Democratic Primary in 2022 with 78.8% of the vote, which was the largest margin of victory in his political career.

Straus, responding to a request for comment, said that there were pending projects he hoped to make progress on during the year. There are "always pending projects."

Have to love working with people

He said one of the things he would miss the most was "the interaction with people. You have to love working with people to do this job."

Asked which of his accomplishments while in office stood out most in his mind, Straus said it was not an easy question.

"That is tough when looking over 32 years. Obviously, South Coast rail, the completed segments of the bike path and the environmental legacy for water quality through the regional aquifer district created through a bill of mine."

He said it will take time to formulate a more complete answer for a question that needs to encompass more than three decades of public service.

Straus added there was "no question" he will stay involved in district issues.

The Mattapoisett resident has a master's degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Long-term Dem legislators Pacheco, Schmid also not seeking re-election

Straus' announcement not to seek re-election follows those from fellow long-term regional Democratic legislators state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, and state Rep. Paul A. Schmid III, D-Westport.

Pacheco made his announcement in February. He has held his Senate seat since 1993, following two terms in the House.

Pacheco’s 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District includes Taunton, Berkley, Dighton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Carver, Marion, Middleboro, and Wareham.

Schmid also made his announcement in February, which will close out seven terms in the House.

His 8th Bristol District includes Precincts 2 and 3 in Acushnet; Ward 1 Precinct A and Ward 6 Precincts A and B in Fall River; Precincts 2 and 3 in Freetown; Ward 1 Precinct B1 and C in New Bedford, and all of Westport.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: State Rep. William Straus will not seek re-election