Ann-Margaret Ferrante

Ann-Margaret Ferrante (born June 26, 1972) is an American legislator in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 5th Essex district, which consists of Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected in 2008 after defeating incumbent representative Anthony Verga in the Democratic primary.^[1] Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. She is also co-chair of the Tech-Hub Caucus, which focuses on fostering growth of Massachusetts’ high-tech businesses and startups.^[2]

A graduate of Tufts University with a major in Economics & International Relations, she furthered her education at Suffolk Law School. After graduating from law school, she practiced law in Gloucester and Rockport, specializing in fisheries issues. She has served on numerous boards and commissions in the community, including Cape Ann Commercial Fisherman’s Loan Fund, Sawyer Free Library, and as an incorporator with Cape Ann Savings Bank.^[3]

Early life, education, and career

Ann-Margaret Ferrante was born on June 26, 1972 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Her mother was a librarian in the local high school, and her father became a fisherman in Gloucester after immigrating from Sicily. She graduated from Gloucester High School and when on to study Economics and International Relations at Tufts University in Boston.^[4]

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Tufts University, Ferrante went to work as the Legislative Aide for State Representative Bruce Tarr. In 1996 she left her position with Representative Tarr in order to pursue a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School.^[5] Ferrante was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1999. Shortly after graduating from Suffolk Law, Ferrante started her own law firm in Gloucester, where she focused on land use and fishing issues. She also served as counsel for the Northeast Seafood Coalition, where she began working to reform the regulatory practices affecting commercial fisherman. ^[6]

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Elections

Ferrante first ran for State Representative in 2008, challenging incumbent Democrat, Anthony Verga, in a competitive Democratic primary. She received 46.9% of the vote, compared to Verga's 39.8%, with a third candidate taking 13.3% of votes.^[7] Ferrante ran on a platform of promoting Gloucester's port as a state asset, advocating sustainable regulations for the fishing industry, encouraging research and investment in education and workforce training, as well as many other issues affecting residents of the 5th Essex District.^[8]

Tenure

During her time in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Ferrante has served on a number of committees, including as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means and as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture during the 2011-2012 legislative session. She served as the Vice Chair for the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies from 2013-2014, and is currently Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses.^[9]

References