Will Brownsberger is an experienced, independent, progressive Democrat committed for the long haul to building a future we can believe in. His ongoing areas of focus are justice, transportation, education, the environment, and housing. He played a leading role in both the criminal justice reforms of 2018 and the police reforms of 2020. He chaired the Senate’s redistricting process in 2021. Recently, he has been especially focused on building decarbonization and housing construction. In 2024, Will led the Senate’s team that negotiated major housing legislation.
In the present 2025-2026 legislative session, Will has led the Senate Census Committee though intensive study on how the state can help ensure that every Massachusetts resident is counted so our communities receive the federal representation and resources they deserve, and marginalized residents are empowered to participate. He is also a Senate leader in crafting a comprehensive response to the second Trump administration, particularly in shaping the PROTECT Act, a groundbreaking set of protections for immigrants.
For a 2025 interview discussing Will’s career and current work, listen here.
District
Will Brownsberger is the Senator from the Suffolk and Middlesex District of Massachusetts.
Elected and Community Service
- State Senator, Suffolk and Middlesex District, January 2012 – current
- President Pro Tempore (2019- )
- Senate Chair, Joint Judiciary Committee (2014-2019)
- State Representative, 24th Middlesex District, 2007 – January 2012
- Belmont Selectman, 1998-2007
- More on Will’s record as Selectman
- Past Chair, Arlington-Belmont-Cambridge Stormwater Flooding Board
- More on the Tri-community Working Group
- Past Chair, Belmont Democratic Town Committee
- Past Member, Steering Committee of Suburban Coalition
- Past Member of Fiscal Policy Committee of Massachusetts Municipal Association
- Past Town Meeting Member, Precinct 2
- Past Chair, South Pleasant Street Land Use Committee
- Past Coach/Assistant Coach, Belmont Soccer Association
Previous Professional Experience (2007-1979 in reverse order)
- Defense Attorney, private practice, including court appointed criminal defense (received Liacos Award for Commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of criminal defendants)
- Researcher, author, and consultant on drug policy and criminal justice issues
- Associate Director for Public Policy, Division on Addictions, Harvard Medical School
- Senior Criminal Justice Advisor to Join Together, Boston University School of Public Health
- Faculty Program Director, Program on Drugs and Crime, Kennedy School of Government Executive Programs
- Co-chair, Harvard Interdisciplinary Working Group on Drugs and Addictions
- See drug policy publications
- Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General
- Asset Forfeiture Chief in Narcotics and Special Investigations Division
- Deputy Chief Prosecutor in Public Protection Bureau
- Vice President/Project Manager, Wall Street Investment Banks (including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs),
- Computer systems development for securities trading and operations
- Law Clerk, Federal District Court, Boston
- Research Associate, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
Education
- JD, Harvard Law School, 1983
- BA, Harvard College, 1978
Personal
- Born in Boston, raised in Watertown, MA
- Resident of Belmont since 1992
- Married with three daughters
- All mode commuter — mostly run, bike and MBTA
- Competitive triathlete (view 2009 results) or read the 2009 race report marathoner and cross-country cyclist
- Identifies as bisexual; uses he/him pronouns
