Representative Marjorie C. Decker Democrat - 25th Middlesex

In 2012, Marjorie Decker was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the 25th Middlesex District, including parts of the Cambridge neighborhoods of West, North, Riverside, Cambridgeport and mid-Cambridge. Representative Decker is both humbled and proud to serve the diverse and vibrant citizens of Cambridge and help to make it the strongest community it can be.

Marjorie has deep roots in the community. Growing up in public housing in Cambridgeport, she was the first in her family to graduate from high school, Cambridge Rindge and Latin. She then went on to graduate with honors from UMass Amherst, and earned her masters at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in 2007, focusing on Human Rights and Children.

Prior to her time at the Kennedy School, Marjorie served as legislative aide to former Representative Alice Wolf (D, Cambridge), her predecessor. Before her time with Rep. Wolf, Marjorie worked for current Representative Ellen Story (D, Amherst), gaining extensive experience in the state legislature.

A long-time advocate for families and affordable housing, in 1998, Marjorie temporarily left state government to serve as the Executive Director of the Equal Justice Coalition, which fights to increase support for civil legal aid for low-income people.

In 1999, Marjorie returned to local government as a Cambridge City Councilor, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to that body. Marjorie served seven terms on the Council, where she was a strong voice for social justice and the local community. For the last six years that she served on the Council, Marjorie chaired the city’s Finance and Budget committee, overseeing $500 million in city funds, and also led its Public Health Committee.

Throughout her career, Marjorie has been recognized as a tireless advocate for her constituents. She was the first woman to be honored by the Greater Boston Labor Council for her work on behalf of immigrants and workers as well as the youngest woman to be inducted into the Boston YWCA’s prestigious Academy of Woman Achievers for her advocacy for affordable housing and economic justice. Marjorie has also served on the board of the Cambridge Anti-Poverty Agency and the Cambridge Peace Commission.

‘All politics being local’, Marjorie is committed to strengthening local communities and helping them grow as demonstrated not only throughout the neighborhoods of Cambridge, but globally as well. In 2003, she was appointed to the United Nations International Association of Peace Messenger Cities, which provided an opportunity for her to travel the world to address issues of mining exploitation, stateless refugee children living in detention centers and nuclear disarmament. She continues to serve on the executive board.

Marjorie has been a staunch leader in her public service career. She has fought for citizens, families, veterans and seniors. In the legislature, Marjorie will continue to advocate for Cambridge residents as well as individuals across the state to ensure that every needy and eligible person has access to affordable housing, quality education and comprehensive health care.