Dr. Greg Schwartz, endorsed by State Representative Ruth Balser, will succeed her in representing the 12th Middlesex District in the 2025 state legislature. He credits her endorsement with influencing his win in the Democratic Primary on September 3. In the three-candidate field, Dr. Schwartz won 39% of the vote across the district, in both Brookline and Newton. Without a Republican opponent, he is assured to win in the General Election on November 5.
In presenting his credentials and rationale for running, Dr. Schwartz used the campaign slogan, “Let’s Put a Doctor in the House,” to emphasize his experience as a primary care physician (at Mass General Brigham). He likened the diagnostic process of evidence gathering and analysis to proposing and evaluating legislation.
He says that the collapse of Steward Health Care has resonated with many voters. One of his campaign issues was the need for more state oversight in health care. Steward’s failure will have a major impact on the MassHealth patients who make up much of its patient base. Moreover, diminished health-care options are putting a greater burden on other hospitals, with too few admission beds and much longer waits in emergency rooms. Even before Steward’s demise, the Commonwealth’s health care system was already feeling pressures of too little health care access.
Throughout his campaign, Dr. Schwartz emphasized the importance of addressing the climate crisis by eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and expanding public transportation. A daily Green Line commuter, he believes the Commonwealth “needs a more robust bus service,” which would be cheaper than trains, and he thinks should be all electric. The Commonwealth’s Fair Share Amendment will be a helpful resource in funding more buses, he said.
In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Schwartz is also a lawyer, which gives him a practical understanding of the intention and impact of legislation. He also worked for a Congressman and a member of Parliament before embarking on his medical and legal education. He notes that those experiences have prepared him for the practical aspects of negotiating and passing legislation.
No stranger to local politics, Dr. Schwartz served on Newton’s City Council, where he chaired the Land Use Committee. In that capacity, he presided over the approval of Northland’s Upper Falls development. After a comprehensive hearing process, he voted against the project because he felt that it would bring too much vehicular traffic to an area not served by any public transportation. Although there had been a suggestion by Northland that it might provide shuttle service to the MBTA stop in Newton Highlands, the company has recently withdrawn that suggestion in proposing a revised plan that includes more apartment units and no office space.
Asked about what legislative committees he would like to serve on, he said he would defer to the Speaker. At the same time, given his long medical career, he thinks that the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing would be a good fit for his experience. In preparing for his debut as a State Representative, Dr. Schwartz has been in frequent contact with Representative Balser, who “has been very generous with her time. We have similar concerns,” he said. He says he is committed to working with advocates and is always open to new information and to providing his constituents with a monthly newsletter.
