In 2022, Senator Payano was elected to the State Senate to represent the 1st Essex District, which includes the communities of Haverhill, Methuen, and Lawrence. 

Prior to joining the State Senate, he spent eleven years serving as an At-Large Lawrence City Council, fighting for resources the Lawrence community deserves. He also was a member of the Lawrence School Committee and from 2012-2014, served as the Vice-Chair. 

At a young age, he learned the importance of hard work and the value of quality education. As a student at Lawrence High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he served constituents in Rep. Niki Tsongas' office and created innovative programs like the Mill City Leadership Institute and the Greater Lawrence Young Professionals organization.