State Rep. John Lawn – whose recent arrest and arraignment on charges of operating under the influence (OUI) have been centerstage across local media outlets since the July 16 crash – told Fig City News on July 22, “I’m going to run again.”
Buoyed by support of his family, friends, colleagues, and constituents, the 56-year-old Democrat has been back at work at the State House since he crashed the SUV he was driving into a parked truck on Hancock Street.
“I make no excuses,” said Rep. Lawn on Tuesday. “I’m human, and I made a mistake.”
He originally apologized and took “ownership” of the incident on July 17.
After being arrested by Boston Police and charged with OUI and leaving the scene of property damage from the July 16 incident, he admitted to sufficient facts during his July 17 arraignment at Boston Municipal Court. As a result, Rep. Lawn will be on probation for a year, must pay fines, get alcohol treatment, and will lose his license for 45 days.
The charges in the case were continued without a finding, meaning if Rep. Lawn remains violation-free for a year, the conviction will be wiped from his record, as is common for first-time offenders.
Looking ahead
First elected in 2011, he represents the 10th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Newton, Waltham, and Watertown. Re-elected in 2024, he will run again in 2026.
As chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, Rep. Lawn said on Tuesday, he’s been working to mitigate upcoming federal funding cuts, to “ensure that residents … have access to healthcare.”
Looking ahead, Rep. Lawn said he anticipates “it’s going to be a difficult time. The cuts that are coming to MassHealth will affect every community [in the state].”
Support at Festa
While presenting a citation from the State Legislature to honor the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 90th Italian-American Festival (or “Festa”) on July 19, Rep. Lawn referred to people going through good times and difficult times – and the support they get from their communities.
After he thanked Society members for their leadership and contributions to the community, he spoke about the village of Nonantum:
“There is no greater neighborhood to represent than ‘The Lake’ in Newton. I am very, very honored to represent this neighborhood, because this neighborhood takes care of itself, takes care of [its] people,” said Rep. Lawn to the crowd at the Festa. “They are loyal. They have traditions that they keep up, and those traditions are about family and about keeping people together, whether they’re going through good times or hard times.”
The large crowd responded with applause.
“It was very uplifting – the love and support I got from [the attendees],” Rep. Lawn told Fig City News on July 22.
Rep. Lawn presented the Society and read to the crowd the State House citation honoring “The 90th Annual Italian-American Festival, the Society and Festa [which] honor cherished heritage, uplift community traditions, and extend heartfelt support to those in need.”
Material from WCVB, CBS News, and WBUR was used in this report.
