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Portrait of Richard WellsPhoto: malegislature.gov

MA · Officeholder

Richard Wells

DState Representative · District 7th Norfolk

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: Massachusetts House 7th Norfolk

Biography

Richard Wells is a Democratic state representative who has represented the Massachusetts House of Representatives 7th Norfolk District since January 1, 2025 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2] A Milton native, he served on the Milton Police Department for 32 years, the last nine as police chief.[1]

Richard Wells Jr. was born in Milton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Milton High School.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England College in 1985 and a graduate degree in criminal justice administration and public policy from Boston University in 1998.[1] His career experience includes 32 years on the Milton Police Department, with the last nine as police chief.[1] Wells succeeded William Driscoll Jr. in the 7th Norfolk District seat; for 2025-2026 Ballotpedia lists him on the Higher Education, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Municipalities and Regional Government, and Revenue joint committees.[1]

  1. 1.Richard Wells Jr. · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.

Massachusetts House 7th Norfolk

Richard Wells is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Massachusetts House 7th Norfolk as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.

Ballotpedia ↗

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 1 of 107 party-divided votes on file.

  • An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

    Amends the bill to bar the housing office and the Attorney General from enforcing any MBTA Communities zoning law (chapter 40A, section 3A) requirement before December 31, 2026. (AI-written)

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 5–125, Republicans 25–0

    Apr 29, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

H5595 · MA HOUSE

An Act prioritizing patient access to care

YesVOTED

Motion: On Engrossment

Passed 119–33·Substantive·Jul 22, 2026Roll call ↗
H5562 · MA HOUSE

An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth

YesVOTED

Motion: On passing to be engrossed as amended

Passed 148–2·Substantive·Jul 8, 2026Roll call ↗
H5562 · MA HOUSE

An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth

YesVOTED

Motion: On adoption of consolidated amendment A

Passed 145–6·Substantive·Jul 8, 2026Roll call ↗
H5555 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

YesVOTED

Motion: On Enactment Land Taking

Passed 142–6·Substantive·Jul 1, 2026Roll call ↗
H5555 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

YesVOTED

Motion: On acceptance of conference report

Passed 142–6·Substantive·Jul 1, 2026Roll call ↗
H5493 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

YesVOTED

Motion: On passing to be engrossed

Passed 154–2·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
H5493 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

NoVOTED

Motion: On adoption of amendment #12

Amends the bill to bar distribution of the $22.5 million No Cost Call Trust Fund transfer until the budget secretary presents a plan to keep annual spending from the item under $10 million. (AI-written)

Failed 28–128·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
S2726 · MA HOUSE

An Act regarding free expression

YesVOTED

Motion: On passing to be engrossed, as amended

Passed 153–3·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
S2726 · MA HOUSE

An Act regarding free expression

NoVOTED

Motion: On adoption of amendment #4

Amends the bill to let school committees remove school library materials only after a public hearing and a finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the material has no educational, literary, artistic, personal or social value or is not age appropriate for any student. (AI-written)

Failed 23–133·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
S2726 · MA HOUSE

An Act regarding free expression

NoVOTED

Motion: On adoption of amendment #3

Failed 2–154·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 165 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.