“Regular working-class people in our communities deserve a common sense voice in the Massachusetts Senate. Since day one, I have worked hard in a bi-partisan way to improve our neighborhoods, address sky-rocketing healthcare costs, fight for our schools, protect our environment, end chronic homelessness, protect reproductive rights, close the gender and racial wage gap, provide for our veterans and seniors and give a voice to working people.  I’ve been able to deliver for the people of our district because I never let politics get in the way of progress. I believe in lifting people up, giving a voice to the underdog, and advocating for fairness, justice, and equity. I wear my heart on my sleeve and never forget who I work for, where I came from and what our values are.”

– Senator Paul Feeney.

BIO:

Paul Feeney is a Democratic State Senator serving his fourth term in the Massachusetts Senate representing the Bristol & Norfolk district.  Paul was sworn in to the Senate in 2017 after winning a special election at the age of 39. Previously, Paul served as a member and Chairperson of the Select Board in his community of Foxborough. 

​Senator Feeney is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services, and the Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight. He is a member of the Committee on Ways & Means, the Senate Committee on Personnel & Administration, the Joint Committees on Healthcare Financing, Labor & Workforce Development, and the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions. Senator Feeney serves as the Senate Chair of the Legislature's Manufacturing Caucus, and Homelessness Caucus, is the Senate President's appointee to the Massachusetts Rare Disease Advisory Committee, as well as the Commonwealth's Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative.

Senator Paul Feeney has been recognized for his work on homelessness and as a champion of permanent supportive housing and the housing first model. He is a leading advocate in the Senate on worker's rights and safety, job creation, and gender and racial equity in the workplace. As the author of over 100 diverse bills filed in the current session alone, Senator Feeney is focused on delivering for his district, promoting financial literacy, ending homelessness, increasing jobs by growing our economy, and rebuilding a vibrant middle-class.

A blue-collar telecommunications technician by trade for over 20 years prior to his service in the Senate, Senator Feeney served as the legislative director, spokesperson and chief steward of his local union in Boston, MA. Senator Feeney is also a former Massachusetts licensed pyrotechnician and spent over two decades leading a talented crew in producing professional, artistic fireworks displays in cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Paul resides in Foxborough with his wife Laura, a licensed family childcare provider and small business owner. He is an avid Boston sports fan, sports card and memorabilia collector, and unrelenting promoter of the idea that Tom Brady is in fact, the Greatest of All Time.

The Long Story....

Though raised primarily in the Boston neighborhoods of Roslindale and Jamaica Plain, Paul’s first exposure to politics, government and public service occurred when he and his family lived briefly in Central Massachusetts.

The Feeney family learned that the well that provided water to their home was contaminated. Because of the high levels of carcinogens dumped into the ground by a near-by business, local families were warned not to drink their water, and to limit skin exposure.

The Feeney family began to organize their neighbors and collectively they pushed for the extension of the public water supply into their neighborhood. Though he was in middle-school at the time, this episode left an indelible mark on Paul, as he learned through the struggles of his family, that people often had to fight for their basic rights, and that working together was the best way to get their collective voices heard – and to make change. It’s a lesson that has guided him ever since.

Though Paul dreamed of attending college, it wasn’t an option for him and his family because of financial difficulties that his and so many other Massachusetts families faced. After graduating Don Bosco Technical High School in Boston in 1996, Paul entered the workforce.

Starting on the overnight shift at 19 years old, Paul worked as a driver for a telecommunications company delivering company mail, tools and equipment across Massachusetts. Paul took advantage of the training opportunities available to him and he passed the necessary exams to move out of the driving job and into a Central Office Technician job in Boston.

As a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2222, Paul saw the value in standing up for himself and his co-workers. His natural leadership and advocacy skills led to his appointment as a steward in his work group. Later, he was elevated to a Chief Steward. He ultimately became Legislative Director of Local 2222.  In that role, Paul advocated on Beacon Hill for legislation that saved local jobs, increased safety in the workplace and protected consumer rights. 

Paul spent ten years learning how Beacon Hill worked, testifying on behalf of working people in front of numerous legislative committees. He saw that - too often - regular working people didn’t have a strong voice in their state government.

In 2005, Paul took a leave of absence from his job to serve as the first Chief of Staff to his State Senator and predecessor, working alongside the senator in fighting for the people of the Bristol & Norfolk District.

In 2007, Paul was elected to the Foxborough Board of Selectmen, becoming one of the youngest selectmen in the town’s history.  He served as Chairman of the Board in 2009.  During his time on the board, Paul worked on issues of public safety and economic development.  Deeply influenced by his own experience years before, Paul joined with his neighbors in a bordering town and led the effort in Foxborough against a proposed power plant in the nearby community.

Since becoming our Senator, Paul has quickly gained the reputation as one of the hardest working public servants in the Commonwealth, focused on delivering for his constituents while working collaboratively with local and state officials from all parties to get things done. Paul has successfully secured millions in funding and bond authorizations for our cities and towns.

Paul and his staff hold regular “District Office Hours” sessions throughout the communities of our district online and in person - in senior centers, libraries, restaurants and even early mornings at commuter rail stations.  He meets regularly with our local officials, Select Board Members, and Councilors and can often be seen meeting with constituents at coffee shops, town halls and libraries throughout our district.

Paul is a working-class, full-time Senator that works just as hard as the people he is elected to represent. Whether at a local farmer’s market, eagle scout ceremony, senior center discussion, school function or community meeting, Paul is present, he is available and he is accessible.

He posts regularly on social media to keep his constituents up to date on his work, and to stay connected to the people he serves. 

Paul spent many years working as a DJ on nights and weekends and has volunteered his services at many local charity events. A licensed pyrotechnician since 2001, Paul has led a crew of technicians in producing professional fireworks displays throughout Massachusetts in a unique trade that he entered at 18 years old and has worked continuously in for over 20 years until his election to the Senate.  Paul is an avid Football fan and a proud Patriots fanatic.  He coached youth football for many years in both Foxborough and in West Roxbury.

Paul married his high school sweetheart, Laura (Caparell) Feeney in 2001. Paul and Laura own their home on North Street in Foxborough where Laura operates a licensed family child-care business.

To contact Paul or his campaign team, please click here.