Senate President Karen E. Spilka represents the MetroWest communities of Ashland, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick. Before ascending the presidency in 2018, Senator Spilka served as the Chair of the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Prior to her election to the Senate in 2004, Senator Spilka served for three years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Senator Spilka brings unique skills as a social worker, attorney, small business owner, arbitrator and mediator, and community activist who has built consensus and solved problems as an elected leader. During her time in the Legislature, Spilka co-authored a bill that revolutionizes the way the state does business, spearheaded the creation of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, passed Jenny’s Law in memory of a young mother from Ashland, and successfully advocated for a provision in the education reform bill related to adequate public school funding.

Senate President Spilka is a graduate of Northeastern Law School and holds a B.S. in Social Work from Cornell University. She lives in Ashland with her husband Joel.