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March 19, 2024 Clouds | 35°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Senator Eileen M. Donoghue Served 2011 - 2018 Democrat - First Middlesex

Photo of  Eileen M. Donoghue
  Eileen.Donoghue@masenate.gov

State House

24 Beacon St.
Room 405
Boston, MA, 02133
Phone:
617-722-1630
Fax:
617-722-1001

Eileen Donoghue is a third-term state senator from the First Middlesex District, serving the communities of Lowell, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, Tyngsboro, and Westford. The Senator was first elected to the Massachusetts Senate in November of 2010.

Upon graduating from University of Massachusetts in 1976, with an individualized concentration in law and Spanish, the Senator pursued her passion for law. She received her Juris Doctor at Suffolk University Law School in 1979. After twelve years of practicing law, Senator Donoghue opened her own firm in the City of Lowell in 1991 before joining Gallagher & Cavanaugh in 2008. Senator Donoghue was elected to the Lowell City Council in 1996 and two years later was elected mayor for her first of two terms at that post. During her tenure as mayor, she was proud to champion some of the most historic and important economic development projects for the city, including the Tsongas Arena and LeLacheur Park, the construction and renovation of 17 schools, and the artist overlay district which resulted in more than 800 new artists’ lofts now occupying formerly abandoned mills.

Senator Donoghue serves as the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. This committee handles matters concerning commercial and industrial establishments, industrial development, science and technology, economic development, retention of science or technology-intensive industries; adoption of existing industries; innovation systems from research to development; computers; information, networking, the Internet, data storage and access; communication; biotechnology; stem cell research medical technology; medical devices; environmental technologies, classroom applications; workforce technology training and development, etc., and other matters similar in nature.

Issues surrounding higher education have long been a legislative priority for the senator, who is now Senate vice chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. She is in a great position to expand on her subcommittee work from the previous legislative session concerning the various components of the student loan and debt landscape.

The senator has also been appointed to serve as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, and as a member of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, the Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, and the Joint Committee on Transportation.

In early 2013, Senator Donoghue initiated legislation to create a commission to study the feasibility of hosting the summer Olympics in Boston. The commission found that, despite challenges, hosting the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Massachusetts in 2024 would be feasible. Although Massachusetts will not end up hosting the Olympics, Senator Donoghue is proud that the bid prompted a robust discussion about the opportunities and challenges that the commonwealth will encounter during the next decade.

In her third term, Senator Donoghue remains honored to represent the people of the First Middlesex District in the Massachusetts Senate.

Personal Information

Profession:

Attorney

Spouse:

John J. O’Connor

Career Highlights

  • Founder of Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council
  • Women Working Wonders Fund
  • Co-founder of Future Stars Camp in Lowell

Education & Public Service

  • BA in Law and Spanish, University of Massachusetts; JD, Suffolk University.
  • Mayor of Lowell, Lowell City Councilor