Mattapoisett State Rep. Bill Straus Will Not Seek Re-Election

MATTAPOISETT (WBSM) — One of the SouthCoast’s longest-serving politicians is retiring, as Representative Bill Straus of Mattapoisett has announced he will not be seeking re-election.

Straus sent out an email to supporters notifying them of the decision.

“This was not an easy decision as there are always more issues and projects to work on,” Straus wrote. “There is much to do in the rest of the session and I will be fully engaged in these matters.”

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The 67-year-old Straus has represented the 10th Bristol District – which consists of parts of New Bedford and Acushnet as well as the towns of Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester – since first being elected in 1992.

“The voters of the 10th Bristol District have honored me since 1992 to be their voice on Beacon Hill,” he wrote. “It is a humbling experience to hold this responsibility and I will always be grateful for the confidence expressed in me.”

While Straus wrote “there is plenty of time ahead to reflect” on the things he has accomplished while in office, he did say South Coast Rail “is certainly on that list though.”

As chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Straus has also worked to get the plans underway to replace the aging New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge.

He also signed off his announcement by stating “I don’t intend to go away entirely and so I look forward to working with many of you in the future.”

Straus becomes the third longtime SouthCoast politician to announce that he will not seek re-election. Both Taunton State Senator Marc Pacheco and Westport Rep. Paul Schmid announced on February 14 that they would also not be seeking another term.