Bio
State Senator Karen Spilka
State Senator Karen E. Spilka
2nd Middlesex and Norfolk
Ashland • Framingham
Franklin • Holliston
Hopkinton • Medway • Natick
Through hard work, a keen ability to navigate complex issues, and a demonstrated commitment to advocating for her constituents, Senator Karen E. Spilka has established herself as a respected leader in state government.
First elected to the House of Representatives in a special election in the fall of 2001, Senator Spilka served three years in the House before her election to the Senate. She was officially sworn in as the State Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district in January 2005. As such, she represents the MetroWest, one of the most important economic regions in Massachusetts.
In a move that reflects her acute understanding of both the needs and opportunities facing the entire Commonwealth, Senator Spilka was appointed Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies in February 2009, as well as being named Vice Chair of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and Senate Chair of the BioTech Legislative Caucus. She also currently serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, as well as the Joint Committees on Federal Stimulus Oversight, Higher Education, and Healthcare Financing. She is the Vice Chair of Ethics and Rules.
Due to her experience in social work, law, and disability issues, Senator Spilka was named the first Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. In this role, she continued her strong and vocal advocacy on concerns—such as child safety and self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities—that have long been important to her.
Prior to becoming a legislator, Senator Spilka was in private practice as an arbitrator and mediator, specializing in labor and employment law and community and court mediation. In addition, she has been a facilitator and fact finder in disputes in the public and private sectors, as well as a trainer of adult mediation and school-based peer mediation programs, collaborative-based collective bargaining, and conflict resolution strategies. She has also previously worked as a labor and employment attorney on behalf of employees, unions, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), and the Commonwealth.
Senator Spilka has received considerable recognition for her public service, including being named to the National Honor Roll of State Legislators and appointment to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Human Services and Welfare Committee for 2007–2008. Other awards include the 2009 Health Info Management Association’s Legislator of the Year Award, the Massachusetts Hospital Association’s 1st annual Legislator of the Year Award in 2008, the 2007 Legislative Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations, the 2007 Legislator of the Year Award from the Arc of Massachusetts, the 2006 Legislative Leadership Award from the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the 2006 Regional Spirit Award from the MetroWest Growth Management Committee, and Advocates, Inc.’s 2006 Medal of Honor.
Senator Spilka is a graduate of Northeastern Law School and holds a B.S. from Cornell University. She has been married for over twenty years to Joel S. Loitherstein, an environmental engineer, and has three children and three dogs.
Click here to watch an October 2008 interview with Senator Spilka.
