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Marjorie Decker

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Marjorie Decker
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 25th Middlesex district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 7, 2013
Preceded byAlice Wolf
Personal details
PartyDemocratic
SpouseBahij Bandar
Children2
University of Massachusetts (B.A.)
University of Massachusetts (M.P.A)
Harvard University (M.A.)
OccupationLegislator

Marjorie C. Decker is an American politician who has served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the 25th Middlesex district since 2013. A Democrat, Decker previously served on the Cambridge City Council from 1993 to 2013. Since 2016, she has been employed by the class action law firm Berman Tabacco.[1]

Early life

Decker was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to a father who was Vietnam war veteran and worked as a security guard[2] while her mother was a nursing assistant.[3] She grew up in public housing in Cambridgeport, and graduated from the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

Decker received her Bachelor of Arts in social thought and political economy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an MPA from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a Master of Science from the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University in 2007.[4]

Political career

Decker served seven terms on the Cambridge City Council in Cambridge, Massachusetts[5] from 1999 to 2013 and at the time was the youngest woman ever to be elected to the Cambridge City Council, and served as Vice Mayor from 2004 to 2005, where she attracted publicity for her staunch views against the Iraq War.[6][7]

In 2012, she was elected as a state representative to the Massachusetts legislature, succeeding Alice Wolf.[8] She is the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health.[9] As a state representative, Decker has focused on public health, maternal health, environmental health, and criminal justice issues. She has served as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and played a role in the development of maternal health legislation expanding access to midwifery, doula, and postpartum care services.[10][11] She has also supported legislation related to environmental contaminants in consumer products and proposed clean energy transition policies,[12][13] and co-authored legislation concerning police conduct involving individuals in custody.[14]

Legislative memberships

Decker is currently the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. She is also a member of the Caucus of Women Legislators, as well as the Black and Latino Caucus.[15] Decker has also served as chair of the Special Legislative Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health, as well as chair of the Poverty Commission.[16]

Electoral history

2024 Democratic primary challenge

In 2024, she faced a primary challenge from Evan MacKay, a labor organizer and teaching fellow at Harvard University. MacKay emphasized legislative transparency and internal reform of the Massachusetts House of Representatives alongside more expansive policy positions, while Marjorie Decker emphasized her legislative record and ability to advance policy within existing structures.[17][18]

MacKay declared victory on election night after preliminary results with 99% of ballots counted showed them with a 40-vote lead. Local newspaper Cambridge Day declared the following morning that MacKay had won,[19] though the Associated Press had not yet called the race.[20][21][19] According to The Boston Globe, Decker herself "seemed to come close" to conceding the race in an emotional speech to supporters on election night, stating "There's a lot of tears to be had. I'm not shedding any tears.... I've had 25 incredible years of doing what I love," though she described MacKay's celebration as premature.[20] The following day, the Cambridge Election Commission revealed an updated count with Decker ahead by 41 votes after the remaining 1% of ballots were counted.[19] MacKay then requested a recount, which confirmed the tally.[22][23]

2026 Democratic primary challenge

In January 2026, MacKay announced he would challenge Decker in the September primary after narrowly losing in the previous cycle.[24]

Notable criticisms and disputes

Opposition to committee roll call amendment

House rules currently require committee votes to be kept at the State House in the committees' respective offices and available for public inspection during regular office hours. An amendment to make committee roll call votes available on the Legislature's website has been proposed and voted down along party lines since 2011.[25][26][27][28] Decker voted against such amendments in 2018,[29] 2019[30] Roll call vote, and 2021[31] Roll call vote in the annual Massachusetts House rules bill. All amendments failed to pass a large majority, with the 2021 vote failing by a vote of 41-117.

In 2022, a non-binding ballot question organized by her later political opponent[3] was presented to voters in her district, asking whether their representative should support changes to House rules to make each legislator's committee vote available on the Legislature's website. 94.2% of voters in Decker's district supported the measure.

In 2024, Decker said that committee votes "should be online".[32]

Memorial Drive closure controversy

In 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) expanded Riverbend Park along Memorial Drive in Cambridge to include Saturdays.[33] After considerable public debate and a Cambridge City Council vote in support of expanded hours,[34] the DCR limited the park space to Sundays only in April 2023.[35] In June 2023, Decker emailed constituents, stating, "I have not ever publicly or privately advocated against Saturday closings."[36]

However, emails released as part of a Freedom of Information Act request in July 2023 appeared to contradict this account. In a March 25 email, Rebecca Tepper, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, noted a "falling out" between Decker and fellow Representative Mike Connolly, who supported the extended closures. Tepper twice described Decker as "staunchly opposed" to the Saturday closures and indicated that Decker had "reiterated her position that she was opposed to the park and hoped that none of her colleagues would attempt to force this on her district."[37]

This incident was covered in multiple episodes of a Cambridge Community Television program 'What's that about?'.[1][2][3] Following these revelations, Decker publicly denied the claims, stating on X (formerly Twitter): "The email from Secretary Tepper does not, and never has, reflect my current position or any position I have articulated in the past. The fact is that I have never stated any personal opposition to the closure of Memorial Drive on Saturdays."[38]

Berman Tabacco

Since 2016, Decker has worked for the class action law firm Berman Tabacco, which paid her over $100,000 annually.[1] Decker has not commented on the nature of the employment since it was revealed through a public records request in 2024,[1] brushing off criticism about the second job and explaining that she is producing sufficiently for her constituents.[4] Decker's opponents have cited the employment as a potential conflict of interest.[39]

Use of campaign funds

In 2024 and 2025, Decker's use of campaign funds drew media scrutiny. In November 2024, The Boston Globe and other media outlets reported that Decker led a delegation of 11 Massachusetts House members, including House Speaker Ron Mariano, on a trip to Cuba that was billed as focused on biomedical research, health care, humanitarian aid, climate resiliency, and life sciences.[40][41][42] The Globe reported that the lawmakers spent $28,566 in campaign funds on Marazul Tours, a New Jersey-based travel agency specializing in travel to Cuba.[40]

In February 2025, The Harvard Crimson, citing public campaign finance filings, reported that Decker's campaign spending since joining the House included nearly $11,000 at the University of Massachusetts Club, more than $4,600 on parking tickets, more than $3,400 at Toscano's, a Harvard Square Italian restaurant, more than $4,400 in gifts to colleagues, and a $500 wedding gift that Decker said she later reimbursed after being told it was not an allowable use of campaign funds.[43] Decker told the Commonwealth Beacon and Crimson that the parking tickets resulted from expiring meters during work events and that she stopped using campaign funds for tickets after Office of Campaign and Political Finance regulations changed to bar the practice.[43][44] Massachusetts regulations permit campaign expenditures made to enhance a candidate's political future but prohibit spending that is primarily personal or that acknowledges guilt for a violation of law.[45] Decker defended other expenses as related to meetings with constituents, advocates, staff, interns, and colleagues.[43]

Personal life

Decker lives with her husband and two children in Cambridge.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Flannelly, Sean (2024-08-19). "Between state rep salary and pay at law firm, Decker's take-home is highest in delegation". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  2. ^ Anjaria, Naseem. "Breaking down the MA State Representative Election". The Register Forum. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  3. ^ a b Dumcius, Gintautas (2024-08-27). "In Cambridge rep race, a liberal showdown". CommonWealth Beacon. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  4. ^ "Meet Our Alums Serving in Government". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  5. ^ Cambridge, City of. "Cambridge City Council Members". Retrieved 17 December 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ Guinness, Rick (2005-11-14). "Veterans strong, but silent publicly, about feelings on Iraq". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  7. ^ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  8. ^ Levy, Marc, "Decker wins (unofficial) 84 percent in state rep primary; it's Rogers in the 24th, Curtatone as register", Cambridge Day, Thursday, September 6, 2012
  9. ^ Kunitz, Allison (2024-06-26). "State House Unanimously Approves Maternal Health Bill". The Boston Globe.
  10. ^ Kunitz, Allison (2024-06-26). "State House Unanimously Approves Maternal Health Bill". The Boston Globe.
  11. ^ "Governor Healey Signs Maternal Health Bill, Expanding Access to Midwifery, Birth Centers and Doulas in Massachusetts". mass.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  12. ^ "Gov. Healey signs new law to ban PFAS in firefighting gear". MASSPIRG.
  13. ^ Decker, Marjorie. "Bill H.3689 - An Act transitioning Massachusetts to clean electricity, heating and transportation". malegislature.gov.
  14. ^ "Bill would bar police from claiming sexual contact with anyone in custody is consensual". The Boston Globe. 2018-03-25.
  15. ^ "Representative Marjorie C. Decker". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  16. ^ "Marjorie Decker". Marjorie Decker. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  17. ^ https://www.cambridgeday.com/2024/08/30/with-positions-similar-for-house-candidates-challenger-points-to-issues-of-transparency/
  18. ^ https://www.cambridgeday.com/2024/09/04/challenger-mackay-beats-incumbent-rep-decker-by-a-tight-margin-but-sees-a-mandate-for-change/
  19. ^ a b c "In Shocking Twist, Decker Pulls Ahead of MacKay by 41 Votes". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  20. ^ a b "Recount possible in Mass. House primary race as unofficial results show MacKay leading incumbent Decker by 40 votes - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  21. ^ "With 40-Vote Lead, MacKay Declares Victory Over Decker in State Rep. Primary Race". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  22. ^ Recount returns Rep. Decker to State House, Cambridge Day, Marc Levy, September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  23. ^ "Evan MacKay '19 Files for Recount as Decker Holds on to 41-Vote Lead". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  24. ^ DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (January 7, 2026). "Mackay will challenge Decker again". Cambridge Day.
  25. ^ Publishing, Nashoba (2015-01-30). "Beacon Hill Roll Call". Nashoba Valley Voice. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  26. ^ Sentinel; Contributor, Enterprise; Sentinel; Enterprise (2011-01-24). "Legislators vote on rules-change proposals". Sentinel and Enterprise. Retrieved 2024-09-06. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ CALL, BOB KATZEN BEACON HILL ROLL (2013-01-27). "Rules votes divided along party lines". The Sun Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  28. ^ "Beacon Hill Roll Call". Alliance Review. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  29. ^ "Order H.2019". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  30. ^ "Order H.2019". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  31. ^ "Order H.68". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  32. ^ "In Harvard's Backyard, A State Representative Fights For Her Political Life". The Harvard Crimson. August 30, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  33. ^ Levine, Julia (2024-02-06). "Opponents of Riverbend Park meet in Riverside with state official, demanding support on traffic". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  34. ^ "POR 2023 #33 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments and agencies to ensure the continuation of Riverbend Park closures on Saturdays and Sundays. - Cambridge City, MA". cambridgema.iqm2.com. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  35. ^ "It's Official: State 'Conservation' Agency Will Reduce Park Access to Bring Back Motor Vehicle Traffic - Streetsblog Massachusetts". mass.streetsblog.org. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  36. ^ Gajda, Mike (2023-07-26). "Release of document trove about Riverbend Park raises questions on Decker account, DCR decision". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  37. ^ "Mass DCR / Riverbend Park 2023". MuckRock. 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  38. ^ https://x.com/MarjorieDecker/status/1684245083304996878. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. ^ MacKay, Evan (2024-08-24). "Challenger for State House seat on 'revelations about Rep. Marjorie Decker's second job'". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  40. ^ a b Gross, Samantha J. (November 21, 2024). "Mass. lawmakers spend nearly $30,000 in campaign funds on travel agent for health care-focused Cuba trip". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  41. ^ Service, Michael P. Norton | State House News (2024-11-15). "Group of Mass. legislators head to Cuba for discussions around health care, humanitarian aid". Worcester Business Journal. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  42. ^ Micek, John L. (2024-11-14). "These Mass. lawmakers are headed to Cuba. Why?". masslive. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  43. ^ a b c Josephy, Matan H. (February 28, 2025). "Lobbyist Dollars, Italian Lunches: How Harvard's State Representative Raises and Spends Campaign Funds". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  44. ^ Sullivan, Jack (2016-04-12). "Pols have carte blanche with campaign cash". CommonWealth Beacon. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  45. ^ "970 CMR 2.06: Expenditures by Political Committees". Legal Information Institute. Cornell Law School. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
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