Mass. state Rep. Mark D. Sylvia (D-Fairhaven), was sworn in on 1/1/25, succeeding Rep William Straus, who retired after 32 years. Submitted photo.
Press Release
State Representative Mark D. Sylvia (D-Fairhaven) was officially sworn in on January 1, 2025, as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Rep. Sylvia succeeds former Representative William Straus, who retired after 32 years of distinguished service to the 10th Bristol District.
“I am ready to get to work on the issues that matter most to our district,” said Rep. Sylvia. “I am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity and thank everyone who supported me along the way.”
Rep. Sylvia brings a wealth of experience to Beacon Hill. He previously served as Town Manager in Plymouth and spent six years in the Patrick Administration, where he played a pivotal role in advancing public policy initiatives. Additionally, he has served as Town Moderator in Fairhaven for over a decade and has 10 years of private-sector experience in the energy industry. His extensive background in government and business will be an invaluable asset in his new role.
A lifelong resident of Fairhaven, Rep. Sylvia is honored to represent the 10th Bristol District, which includes Precincts 1 and 2A of the town of Acushnet; the town of Fairhaven; Ward 1, Precincts A, B, and C1 of the city of New Bedford, all in the county of Bristol; and the towns of Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester, all in the county of Plymouth.
As his first act as State Representative, Rep. Sylvia is excited to announce the appointment of Betty DeBenedictis as his Legislative Director. Betty is an experienced legislative professional, having spent eighteen years in the House of Representatives working for former Rep. Tom Calter (D-Kingston) and former Rep. Matt Muratore (R-Plymouth).
Rep. Sylvia commented that “Betty’s experience, accomplishments, approachability and her reputation among her colleagues in the House, are exactly what we need to hit the ground running for the people of the 10th Bristol District.
Constituents can contact Rep. Sylvia at (617) 722-2800 ext. 7320 or via email at Mark.Sylvia@ mahouse.gov. Betty can be contacted at Betty.DeBenedictis@mahouse.gov.
For more information about his legislative priorities, to request a meeting, or to stay updated on his work, visit https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/MDS1. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for updates.
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