| Kelly Dooner | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 1st Plymouth and Bristol district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Succeeded by | Marc Pacheco |
| Member of the Taunton City Council | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Louis Picardi |
| Education | Boston University |
Kelly Dooner is an American politician and member of the Massachusetts State Senate for the 1st Plymouth and Bristol district, succeeding Democrat Marc Pacheco. Dooner is currently a member of the Taunton City Council, elected in 2021.
Political career
Taunton City Council
In 2021, Dooner was elected to the Taunton City Council, becoming the youngest woman ever to hold the position. During her tenure, she served as the council president and worked to designate Taunton as a Purple Heart City. She also collaborated with Mayor Shaunna O'Connell to double the senior tax credit and addressed the city's financial issues.
Massachusetts State Senate
In November 2024, Dooner won election to the 1st Plymouth and Bristol district State Senate seat, turning the seat Republican for the first time in decades. She defeated Democrat and long-term Raynham Selectman Joe Pacheco in a tight race. Dooner is set to assume office in January 2025.
Political positions
Dooner has expressed concerns about the state's spending and policies regarding undocumented migrants. She has criticized the use of hotels as emergency shelters for migrants, advocating for prioritizing housing for military veterans and indignant families who are U.S. citizens. Additionally, she has called for audits of the state's Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card system to address potential fraud and ensure accountability.
Personal life
Dooner resides in Taunton with her husband, Louis Picardi. She works as a paralegal for a Boston law firm.
References
- "Who is Kelly Dooner?". Kelly Dooner for State Seante. Committee To Elect Kelly Dooner To State Senate. September 11, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- Quadros Bowles, Sandy (March 19, 2024). "Taunton City Councilor in race for state senate seat". Wareham Week. Wareham Week. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- Schemer, Daniel (November 6, 2024). "Kelly Dooner will be Taunton's next state senator. Results from other key local votes". Taunton Daily Gazette. Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Winokoor, Charles (August 7, 2024). "Senate candidate Kelly Dooner blasts state for converting Taunton hotel into shelter". Taunton Daily Gazette. Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- Rindlisbacher, Emma (October 18, 2024). "Dooner blasts state for handing out EBT cards like 'candy.' Is she right? What we found". Taunton Daily Gazette. Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved November 9, 2024.