State Sen. Ben Downing says he won’t run for re-election
Downing, 34, was first elected 10 years ago.
State senator Ben Downing, a Democrat who has represented the western-most parts of Massachusetts for almost 10 years, said on Monday that he won’t run for re-election.
Downing, 34, was first elected to the Senate in 2006. In a post on his website, the Pittsfield-based politico wrote that he promised himself he wouldn’t serve for more than 10 years.
“Today, I am keeping that promise and announcing that I will not be running for re-election as your Senator,’’ he wrote.
Downing said it was a “joy, a gift and an honor’’ to represent his district, which encompasses all of Berkshire County and parts of Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden counties.
“While I worked hard to keep my promises, there is always more work to be done,’’ he wrote. “I will spend the rest of my time trying to get more done that will make a difference in the lives of everyone here.’’
Downing, who chairs the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, does not specify what he will do once his term ends.
“I will never stop believing in the possibility and potential of this region.
My heart will always be here
I promise.’’
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