Progressive WRox/Roz

Wow, what a thorough, clear explanation of the 9 ballot questions in about 50 minutes! (Q&A and more at the end)
Be prepared - the ballot will be long with tiny print for the ballot questions especially. It's way easier to make decisions ahead.

Progressive Mass 2026 Ballot Question Info Session An info session on Massachusetts's 9 statewide ballot questionsDa...

Learn about MA's 9 Statewide Ballot Questions Join Progressive Mass to learn more about the 9 statewide ballot questions, who's behind either side, and what's at stake.

The Boston Teachers Union Proudly Endorses Elect Persis for MA State Senate for the Massachusetts State Senate in the Norfolk and Suffolk District!! Don't forget to Vote this November!

WGBH: ‘Wu also endorsed an incumbent Democrat, state Sen. Mike Rush, who lost his reelection bid to progressive challenger Persis Yu, an attorney and social worker. Wu praised Yu’s campaign in her interview Wednesday. “In my own state Senate district that I live in ... a first-time candidate who ran with an incredibly compelling campaign platform and ground game and organization took out a longtime incumbent who I had had the personal experience of knowing, Mike Rush,” Wu said.’

https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2026-09-09/wu-upbeat-on-legislative-losses-says-results-show-voters-are-tired-of-the-status-quo

Senator Rush has now conceded Tuesday’s election. We wish the senator and his family well and thank him for years of service to our community and country.

The statement notably does not mention or congratulate the victor, Persis Yu, as is customary. The election is over and it’s now time to move forward, including towards November.

Dear Friends, Constituents, and Supporters:

The results of the election are in. While the outcome isn't the one we hoped for, I want you to know that representing you for the past 16 years as your State Senator has been the privilege of my life.

When I first ran for this seat in 2010, I promised to listen to this community—and take action—every single day. I hope you feel that I kept that promise. We built things together. We fought for our schools, our veterans, public safety, health care, economic development, the environment, our seniors, our youth, and our families. We weathered hard times—budget challenges,
economic turbulence, a global pandemic, and my own overseas military deployment that pulled me away from home and the State House. But we overcame these obstacles to achieve important things and we got to a better place.

The communities of the Norfolk & Suffolk District are wonderful places to live. While I believe I worked hard to serve you on Beacon Hill, I was just as proud to roll up my sleeves and work alongside you in your neighborhoods. I listened to your concerns, identified potential solutions, and then I acted to accomplish the goals that we set together. That's how we made so much progress.

To my family, staff, friends, and those who supported me over the years, thank you for your trust and counsel, again and again.

This isn't the message I wanted to write after election day, but I close this chapter with immense gratitude. Public service was never about the title. I've always sought to live a purpose-driven life. Caring for people who needed the attention of government—in big and small ways—was the purpose of my life in the legislature. I'm grateful to all who made this possible.

This community is my home. It raised me, shaped me, and gave me the honor of a lifetime. I'll be rooting for its future and will continue to serve you in different ways locally and as an officer in the US Navy. Whether it’s tomorrow, two years from now, or beyond — I'll be there when you need me!

With deep gratitude and love for the people of my district,
Mike Rush

We are glad that establishment media is finally talking about Elect Persis for MA State Senate and the incredible campaign she ran! There are great insights here on how we can challenge the recalcitrant leadership in the Legislature to stop acting behind closed doors and to actually deal with the big issues facing us all here like a lack of affordability and our housing crisis.

Not *everyone* was surprised by Persis Yu’s victory. 😉 We’re glad the Globe is finally covering this race and appreciate asking some of our chapter leaders for their thoughts on how it happened. All credit to an amazing candidate who ran a tremendous campaign. We cannot wait to work with Senator Yu.

Universal Hub: ‘In victory over Mike Rush, Persis Yu even won his ward’

In victory over Mike Rush, Persis Yu even won his ward Preliminary Boston totals for the Norfolk and Suffolk state-senate district, in which Persis Yu will replace Mike Rush as senator, show that Yu won Rush's homebase of Ward 20, with 4,810 votes to his 4,110, on the strength of her margins on the Roslindale side of the ward. Read more.