Joanne M. Comerford is not currently running for office on Civoren.
Joanne M. Comerford is a Massachusetts State Senator representing the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester district, first elected in 2018 as a write-in candidate and the first woman to hold the seat. Before taking office in January 2019, she earned a Masters of Social Work from Hunter College and worked in nonprofit and advocacy organizations, including the Center for Human Development, American Friends Service Committee, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, National Priorities Project, and MoveOn. In the 2025-2026 session she chairs the Joint Committee on Higher Education. She lives in Northampton with her wife, Ann Hennessey, a public school teacher, and their two children.
Joanne M. Comerford has a recorded position on seven issues. Each is Civoren's summary of the campaign's own public material, with the source linked.
Supports strengthening local agriculture and food security through the FARM bill, a permanent Healthy Incentives Program, a farm-to-school program, farmland preservation, and a Commission on Agricultural Equity.
“My bill makes a number of reforms to support farms and farmers and preserve valuable farmland, including directing the state to maximize the amount of local food that is distributed through state food assistance programs, creating a grant to support training for new farmers, allowing farmers to use state grants for used farm equipment, facilitating agritourism, and other initiatives to strengthen the state's food systems and help farmers remain competitive and viable.”
senatorjocomerford.orgAs of August 2026
Supports transitioning to clean energy by phasing out fossil fuels, modernizing the electric grid, expanding solar access, and protecting consumers from unreasonable utility rate increases.
“We must proactively plan for phasing-out fossil fuels over the coming decades. To meet our carbon reduction targets, the electric grid must undergo significant upgrades.”
senatorjocomerford.orgAs of August 2026
Supports bold climate action, framing it through the Green New Deal's linkage of fighting climate change with racial justice and good jobs.
“Bold action is needed to address global warming. I am working to seize the Green New Deal promise which links together fighting climate change, racial justice, and good jobs.”
senatorjocomerford.orgAs of August 2026
Comerford states that health care must be a right of all residents and is working to expand access to affordable, quality health care, including prior-authorization reform, continuity of mental health care, home care for seniors and people with disabilities, and dental care.
“Health care must be a right of all residents. Our fragmented system is costly, inequitable, and often does not provide optimal care. I am working to expand access to affordable, quality health care for everyone.”
senatorjocomerford.orgAs of August 2026
As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Comerford supports expanding higher-education access and affordability, including extending the free MassEducate community-college program to the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, universal FAFSA completion, and tuition/fee waivers for adopted foster children.
“My bill expands MassEducate to include the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, enabling students to pursue an associate degree in agriculture without worrying about the cost.”
senatorjocomerford.orgAs of August 2026
Supports increasing state funding for public education (pre-K through higher education) and more equitable education policies, and has filed bills to support rural schools and student mental health.
“I believe in the promise of excellent public education. That's why I am working to increase state funding - pre-K through higher education - while also focusing on more equitable education policies.”
senatorjocomerford.orgAs of August 2026
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