Newton City Councilor Rick Lipof Launches State Representative Bid

NEWTON, MA — Newton City Councilor and small business owner Rick Lipof is the latest to announce he is going to run for the open 12th Middlesex District state representative seat this fall.

Lipof is running to replace State Rep. Ruth Balser, who announced last month that she will not seek re-election. The seat represents Newton and Brookline.

"There is a significant need for a state representative who will continue to provide bold and effective leadership for our region," Lipof said in an announcement sent to Patch, "delivering resources to our communities, playing a significant role in the writing and passage of legislation, and providing responsive constituent services."

Lipof is a former vice president of the Newton City Council, of which he has been an elected member for 23 years, and also served on the Land Use Committee, Public Safety & Transportation Committee and Real Property Re-Use. He has spent time on the Newton Election Committee, the Angino/Newton Farm Commission and is also a member of the executive board at Temple Beth Avodah.

He said his focus at the State House will be investing in public education, protecting the environment, tackling the affordability crisis, standing up for reproductive rights and prioritizing transportation.

"I will also lead State efforts on combating the rise in antisemitism and all forms of hate that have no place in our communities," he said. "At a time when political divisiveness has impacted local politics, I know that we need elected leaders who will listen to differing opinions, work collaboratively with residents, and put politics aside to get the job done."

Lipof cites his major accomplishments on the Council being making Newton more environmentally sustainable, creating the Traffic Council, protecting Webster Woods, investing funds for Newton Public Schools programming, and advancing public-private partnerships, including the Kessler Woods development.

He also owns a real estate appraisal and consulting business in the city.

He and his wife, Janice, are the parents of two adult daughters, Sydney and Jennifer (and their Cavapoo, Cody).

He is a graduate of the Spaulding School, Meadowbrook Junior High School, Newton South High School (1983), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.