Massachusetts Senate Democrats agreed Wednesday to make Sen. Harriette Chandler the permanent president of the Senate for the remainder of the year, and will vote Thursday to remove "acting" from her title.
The decision, according to Chandler, is to send a clear message that the Senate wants to put the turmoil caused by questions about former Senate President Stanley Rosenberg's future in the rearview mirror so that the body can focus on policy priorities for remaining six months of the formal, two-year session.
The Worcester Democrat said she will not be a candidate for the permanent position in January when the next Senate will elect a new Senate president.
She said it will up to Rosenberg whether he stands for election at that time.
The decision was announced after Senate Democrats met for more than three-hour private caucus.
Decision by Democrats in @MA_Senate to keep @Sen_Chandler as their president for remainder of session means there is no way @SenStan will return as president. He could run in January if reelected to his seat, but it appears support in chamber has vanished. #mapoli
— 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 (@WBURSteve) February 7, 2018
Statement from @SenStan :"I am confident that SP Chandler will serve the Senate & the Commonwealth with distinction. I support what’s best for the Senate and the Commonwealth, and I deeply regret the disruption that has been caused by the necessity of the investigation." #mapoli
— 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 (@WBURSteve) February 7, 2018
It's a step away from Rosenberg, who is the subject of a Senate Ethics Committee investigation, and while senators say they are trying to create a stable environment the branch is at risk of being riled by months of wrangling by potential Chandler successors.
Rosenberg remains a member of the Senate and has taken out nomination papers with plans to seek re-election this year.
This report was originally published by State House News Service.
