Karyn Polito

Karyn Polito
72nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2015
Governor Charlie Baker
Preceded by Tim Murray
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 11th Worcester district
In office
January 8, 2001 – January 8, 2011
Preceded by Ronald Gauch
Succeeded by Matthew Beaton
Personal details
Born November 11, 1966
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party Republican
Children 2
Alma mater Boston College
New England School of Law

Karyn Polito (born November 11, 1966) is an American politician from the state of Massachusetts. She is the 72nd and current Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, since 2015. From 2001 to 2011 she was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the Eleventh Worcester District - consisting of the town of Shrewsbury, and precincts 1 and 4 of the town of Westborough, both in the county of Worcester.[1]

Polito was also the unsuccessful Republician nominee for Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts in 2010.[2]

Education & Career

Karyn Polito is a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury. Polito graduated from Holy Name Central Catholic High School. Shortly after graduating from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988, she received her master's from the New England School of Law in 1991.

She owns and operates a commercial real estate development firm. She is a board member of the Worcester Area Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce, and a long-standing member of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Massachusetts.

Political career

Polito began her public service career in local government, serving as a member of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen. She then continued on to the state level, serving as a member of the State Lottery Commission.

Massachusetts House of Representatives

In 2000, Polito ran for State Representative without opposition and won. She held the seat for six consecutive terms. The committees on which the Polito served during her tenure included the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy, and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.

Candidate for State Treasurer

She was unopposed as the Republican nominee for Treasurer in 2010. She lost in the general election to Steve Grossman.

Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

On December 3, 2013, Polito announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. The leading GOP candidate for Governor Charlie Baker endorsed her candidacy.[3] She was not opposed in the September 2014 primary.

Issues & Record

She has supported term limits and eliminating state pensions for elected officials.[4]

She is proud of her A+ rating from Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL), the official state association of the National Rifle Association.[5]

As State Representative in 2007, she voted yes on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.[6] However, she now supports same-sex marriage.[7]

Related links

References

  1. ↑ "State Representative Karyn E. Polito". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Rep. Karyn Polito is running for treasurer". Associated Press. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  3. ↑ "GOP's Polito Announces Run for Lieutenant Governor". CBS Boston/AP. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "NO PENSIONS FOR POLITICIANS". http://www.karynpolitofortreasurer.com/priorities_nopensions.htm''. Karyn Polito for State Treasurer. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Avi with Karyn Polito". WRKO. Oct 20, 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "S 2220 - Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Charlie Baker on Civil Rights
Political offices
Preceded by
Tim Murray		 Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
2015–present 		Incumbent