Senator Joan Lovely was elected to the Senate in 2012. She serves the Second Essex District, comprised of Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. Her leadership roles in the Legislature include Assistant Majority Leader, Chair of the Senate and Joint Committees on Rules, and Chair of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.

Outside of her committee work, Joan is the Senate Chair of the Ellen Story Committee on Postpartum Depression, and is a member of the Special Senate Committee on Opioid Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Options. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Legislative Aviation Caucus, Boating Caucus, Coastal Caucus, and Gateway Cities Caucus. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Senator Lovely served 15 years on the Salem City Council. She is a graduate of both Salem State University and the Massachusetts School of Law. Senator Lovely lives in Salem with her husband, Stephen, and has three grown children.