Ruth Balser

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Ruth Balser
Ruth Balser.jpg
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Middlesex District
Incumbent
Tenure
1999 - present
Term ends
January 2, 2019
Years in position 18
PartyDemocratic
Report an officeholder change
Compensation
Base salary$60,032.60/year
Per diem$10-$100/day
Elections and appointments
First elected1998
Term limitsN/A
Education
AssociateUniversity of Rochester
Ph.D.New York University, 1980
Personal
Date of birthOctober 30, 1948
Place of birthNew York, New York
ProfessionClinical Psychologist
ReligionJewish
Websites
Office website
CandidateVerification
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Ruth B. Balser (b. October 30, 1948) is a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the Twelfth Middlesex district. She was first elected to the chamber in 1998.

Balser served on the Newton Board of Aldermen from 1988 to 1995.

Biography

Balser's professional experience includes working as a clinical psychologist.[1]

Committee assignments

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Balser served on the following committees:

Massachusetts Committee Assignments, 2015
• Ways and Means
• Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs
• Public Health Joint, Vice Chair
• Ways and Means Joint
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Joint

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Balser served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Balser served on the following committees:

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Balser served on the following committees:

The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.


Elections

2016

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Incumbent Ruth Balser ran unopposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Middlesex District general election.[2][3]
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Twelfth Middlesex District General Election, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Ruth Balser Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth



2014

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Incumbent Ruth Balser was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.[4]

2012

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2012

Balser won re-election in the 2012 election for Massachusetts House of Representatives Twelfth Middlesex District. Balser was unopposed in the September 6 Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[5][6]

2010

Balser won re-election to the Twelfth seat in 2010. She defeated John Bortone in the September 14 Democratic primary. She faced no opposition in the general election on November 2, 2010.[7]

Massachusetts House of Representatives General Election, Twelfth Middlesex District (2010)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Ruth Balser (D) 11,764

2008

On November 4, 2008, Balser won re-election in the Massachusetts House of Representatives election for the Twelfth Middlesex district.[8] In this election she raised $93,653; of that total $88,023 (94.0%) was from in state contributions, $2,585 (2.8%) was from out of state contributions, and $3,045 (3.3%) was from unknown sources.[9]

Massachusetts House of Representatives - Twelfth Middlesex district
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Ruth Balser (D) 13,699
All Others 180
Blanks 5,944

Campaign donors

2010

In 2010, Balser received $253,415 in campaign donations. The largest donors are listed below.[10]

2008

Balser raised $93,653 in the 2008 election cycle.

Her major contributors are listed below.[11]

Donor Amount
Charles Glovsky $1,000
Massachusetts Psychiatric Society $1,000
Willaim H. Shaevel $750
Taylor J. WIlliam $650
16 different donors $500

Scorecards

State-Legislative Scorecards-Badge.png

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See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Massachusetts

Legislative scorecards are used to evaluate elected public officials based on voting record. Some scorecards are created by political advocacy groups with a focus on specific issues; others are developed by newspapers and are broad in scope. Scorecards are meant to be used as a tool for voters to have a quick picture of whether their views align with a particular legislator's record.

Because scorecards can be specific to particular issues or general to a state’s legislative term, each report should be considered on its own merits. Each entity that publishes these reports uses different methodologies and definitions for the terms used.

An overview for scorecards in all 50 states can be found on this page. To contribute to the list of Massachusetts scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2015-2016

  • Legislators are scored on bills of interest to an organization advocating economically conservative policy.
  • Legislators are rated on "voting record and co-sponsorship history, public statements, and other factors."[12]
Legislators are scored on their votes on key conservative issues.

2013-2014

In 2013, the Massachusetts General Court was in session from January 2 to December 31. In 2014, the Massachusetts General Court was in session from January 14 through August 1.

  • Legislators are scored on bills of interest to an organization of employers.
  • Legislators are scored on bills of interest to an organization advocating economically conservative policy.
  • Legislators are scored on environmental issues.
  • Legislators are scored on bills selected by a "statewide, grassroots [organization] for progressive change in Massachusetts."[13]
  • Legislators are scored on environmental issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on key conservative issues.

2011-2012

In 2011, the Massachusetts General Court was in session from January 5 November 16. In 2012, the Massachusetts General Court was in session starting January 4 through July 31.

  • Legislators are scored on bills of interest to an organization of employers.
  • Legislators are scored on environmental issues.
  • Legislators are scored on votes on issues including health care costs, consumer protection, recycling, transportation and democracy.
  • Legislators are scored on bills selected by a "statewide, grassroots [organization] for progressive change in Massachusetts."

Personal

Balser has been a member of the American Jewish Congress, Appalachian Mountain Club, Green Decade Coalition, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Jewish Community Relations Council, Massachusetts Psychological Association, New England Region Friends of University of Haifa, Newton Conservators, Newton League of Women Voters, and the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus.[1]

Recent news

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See also

External links

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Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Project Vote Smart - Rep. Balser
  2. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, "2016 State election candidates," accessed October 3, 2016
  3. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Election data lookup," accessed December 20, 2016
  4. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "2014 State Primary Candidates," accessed September 9, 2014
  5. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "2012 State Primary Results," accessed February 13, 2014
  6. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Return of Votes - For Massachusetts State Election - November 6, 2012," accessed February 13, 2014
  7. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Return of Votes - For Massachusetts State Election - November 2, 2010," accessed February 13, 2014
  8. ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, "Return of Votes For Massachusetts State Election - November 4, 2008," accessed March 18, 2014
  9. ↑ Follow the Money, "2008 campaign contributions," accessed December 29, 2014
  10. ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2010 - Candidates," accessed February 13, 2014
  11. ↑ Massachusetts House donor numbers
  12. ↑ Planned Parenthood, "2015 Legislative Scorecard," accessed November 2, 2015
  13. ↑ Progressive Massachusetts, "Scorecards and Roll Calls," accessed September 17, 2014
    14. <cite_references_suffix>
Political offices
Preceded by
- 		Massachusetts House of Representatives Middlesex 12
1999–present 		Succeeded by
NA
v • e
Democrat majority Current members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
House Speaker: Robert DeLeo (D) • Majority Leader: Ronald Mariano (D) • Minority Leader: Bradley Jones, Jr. (R)
   
Democratic Party (125) • Republican Party (35) • Massachusetts House of Representatives • Massachusetts State Senate
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