Just a few weeks after one of Newton’s longtime state representatives announced her retirement from the legislature, Newton’s other longtime state representative is doing the same.
Rep. Kay Khan, who has represented Newton at the State House since 1995, announced on Tuesday that she would not run for a 16th term on Beacon Hill.
“I love the work that I do, and being a legislator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been the honor of a lifetime,” Khan wrote in a statement to colleagues and supporters Tuesday afternoon. “It has been a privilege to serve as the State Representative of the 11th Middlesex District for over 29 years and tirelessly fight for progressive victories in the Commonwealth.”
Khan worked as a psychiatric mental health nurse for two decades before running for office and, once in the legislature, dedicated much of her efforts to mental health, criminal justice reform and disability services.
Khan founded the legislature’s Mental Health Caucus and the Justice Involved Women Taskforce and served as House chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
She helped pass a law banning conversion therapy for minors and a law banning child marriage without exception.
And she’s played a key role in getting state and federal funds to fix Newton’s three commuter rail stations, starting with the station in Newtonville.
“While I am not seeking re-election, I am not ending the fight here,” Khan continued, noting that she has 32 bills moving forward this session. “There is still important work to be done and I am determined to continue fighting the good fight until my final day in office comes to an end.”
Khan’s announcement means that both of Newton’s House seats will be without incumbents in November’s election. Ruth Balser, who represents Newton and Brookline, recently announced she wouldn’t be running again either.