James Arena-DeRosa

James Arena-DeRosa graduated from Xaverian Brothers High School.[1] Arena-DeRosa's career experience includes working as a freelance community advocate, the president and CEO of Foodshare, the director of public advocacy of Oxfam America, the New England director of the Peace Corps under the Bill Clinton administration, the northeast regional administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the Barack Obama administration, and the special assistant to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.[1][2] Arena-DeRosa has been affiliated with the SEIU Local 285, the board and executive committee on policy of Mass Farmers Markets, the board of directors of Miracle Of Help Sierra Leone, Africa, the board of governors of the Dante Alighieri Cultural Society, the Sons of Italy Scholarship Commission, the Xaverian Brothers High School Alumni Association, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Alumni Association/Reunion Committee.[3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

James is the grandson of Italian immigrants who made their way to Boston through Ellis Island. James is a lifelong Democrat and Massachusetts resident. James has held on to the lessons from those he met, and from an early age decided that his calling was the pursuit of social and economic justice. His activism further nurtured by the brothers at Xaverian High School, James went on to graduate from Harvard with honors where he was involved in numerous Democratic campaigns. Since coming to Holliston in the early 1990s the Arena-DeRosa family has been very involved in the community. James served on the Holliston Finance Committee and chaired the Democratic Town Committee, for several years his wife directed the Holliston Senior Center, was involved with public schools, taught CCD at St. Mary’s, and has been a long-time member of the Celebrate Holliston Committee as well. James loves politics and engaging in public policy but also enjoys the quiet contemplation of his garden – leaning to his Italian roots growing tomatoes, basil, garlic, green beans, eggplant and raspberries (which were planted with his sons when they were young children). Staying connected to healthy and local food initiatives, James serves on the Mass Farmers Markets Board of Directors. James is also a die hard Red Sox fan and finally got to see them win in 2004

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As someone who both served as an elected local official and also advocated to the highest levels of government, I will stand with the leaders of Holliston, Hopkinton, Millis and Sherborn to help them meet community challenges including infrastructure, education and affordability for seniors and young adults.My wide breadth of experience prepares me for the vast array of policy issues facing the Commonwealth. I will continue to: Fight for affordable healthcare, protect the environment/incest in green technology, support local agriculture, collaborate with the business community, and ensure food security and justice for all.As a member of the Senior Executive Service, I have led a $12 billion government program during the Obama Administration. My leadership skills will connect the community to state and federal programs, help individuals meet their needs, and move the state forward during challenging times.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Many of my policy positions stem from two foundational ideas that have guided my career: everyone’s basic needs should be met, and people’s voices should be heard on the issues that touch their lives. If I can accomplish one thing on Beacon Hill in the coming years it will be to insist that small towns, local leaders, small businesses, workers, students, people of color, teachers, nurses, farmers, and all others have a voice when policymakers are debating public policy and setting a direction for the Commonwealth. For too long those with significant financial resources have leveraged and controlled too much of the agenda in the corridors of power and that must change.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to make positive change for my district and the state of Massachusetts. If I can accomplish one thing on Beacon Hill in the coming years it will be to insist that small towns, local leaders, small businesses, workers, students, people of color, teachers, nurses, farmers, and all others have a voice when policymakers are debating public policy and setting a direction for the Commonwealth.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Throughout high school and college, James worked 15-20 hours a week: pumping gas at his uncle’s gas station, working at the MGH lab, and enjoying a thriving disc jockey business until he decided to go help the farmworkers with Jerry Brown for $10 a day.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

For us to move forward, Massachusetts must have a legislature and Governor's office that are more transparent.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

There are many issues pertinent to Massachusetts. To name a few: Climate change, economic justice, reproductive freedom, racial justice, and voter suppression will be massive challenges we need to face together Nationwide but also as a state.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe my experience is one of my strongpoints that make me the most electable for this job. If elected, I will be working from day 1 onwards to get change done on Beacon Hill.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, During my career I have endeavored to work with everyone, from leadership to those in the other party. I plan to stay true to my ideals but hope to be a bridge builder in the years ahead.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Our towns will miss the wonderful leadership provided by Representatives Carolyn Dykema and David Linsky. Both have emphasized to me the importance of providing local constituent services. Often a State Representative is the one person in government that a citizen can turn to for assistance. I pledge to serve in this role full time, make myself available for regular office house in each community, and maintain a rigorous constituent service program that will be responsive to individual consistent needs and help them navigate government bureaucracy as needed.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is desirable, but at the same time it will be my priority to ensure that small businesses, workers, students, people of color, teachers, nurses, farmers, and all others have a voice when policymakers are debating public policy and setting a direction for the Commonwealth. I intend to work with fellow Democratic legislators to address issues of concern across the Commonwealth and the country like climate change, economic justice, reproductive freedom, racial justice, and voter suppression.