Billerica’s Daniel Darris-O’Connor will be one of the youngest state representatives at 19
By Emily Maher
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BILLERICA, Massachusetts (WCVB) — At just 19 years old, Billerica’s Daniel Darris-O’Connor said he’s ready to get to work for his constituents on Beacon Hill.
The Democratic representative-elect, who unseated longtime Republican incumbent Marc Lombardo, will be one of the youngest representatives in state history.
He will turn 20 the day before he is sworn into the State House.
“I’m happy that the voters of Billerica had faith in me being their next state representative,” Darris-O’Connor said. “I am a younger candidate. My campaign wasn’t focused on my age; it was focused on the issues.”
He said the rising cost of living and the need for stronger representation on the local level were issues that resonated with voters.
“I think there are some great candidates across Massachusetts and across the country who ran great campaigns on the issues that people are facing,” Darris-O’Connor said.
Other election day highlights Gov. Maura Healey, on the winds of a resounding victory, said she’s also focused on issues like affordability and housing.
“We’re also going to be pushing big time on more primary care and mental health care, so that people can have access to that care when they need it, at a place where they can actually access it,” she said. “And we’re going to be focused on protecting our kids in a world of social media and protecting our workers, jobs, and the economy in the face of AI.”
Election Day saw a blue wave sweep across the country, with Democrats gaining control of the Legislature.
President Donald Trump said he’ll work with the party in power.
“I’ll get along probably with the Democrats unless they want to be destructive, but they have the power of the veto,” he said. “So if we don’t like what they’re doing, they’ve already called, and they want to talk about things, and that’s fine.”
Trump said he accepts the results of the election, even as some U.S. Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska have yet to be called.
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