Democrat Kathy LaNatra is running for reelection to a fifth term as the state representative for the Plymouth 12th district, which includes downtown, North Plymouth, parts of West Plymouth, Kingston, Plympton, and parts of Halifax, Middleborough, and Pembroke.
“As I seek another term, my priorities are clear: tackling affordability, standing up for our seniors, and making sure working families and small businesses have the opportunity to succeed right here at home,” LaNatra said in a press release.
No other candidates have announced so far. In 2024, LaNatra, who lives in Kingston, faced Republican Plymouth lobsterman Eric Meschino, defeating him with 53 percent of the vote to his 47 percent. Meschino told the Independent he intends to run again.
As state representative, LaNatra secured earmarks of $50,000 to make the Plymouth Training Green wheelchair accessible, $25,000 for the Plymouth Downtown Waterfront District, which used the money for flowers for parklets during outdoor dining season, and $150,000 to study the feasibility of a convention center.
As chair of the Massachusetts House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability, she held hearings on the impact of federal budget cuts on Massachusetts, including one hearing in July discussing the negative impact of Trump administration policies on tourism, especially international tourism.
Along with Democrat Michelle Badger, Plymouth’s other state representative, LaNatra proposed legislation to lower school transportation costs for geographically large towns in Massachusetts, including Plymouth, which at 104 square miles is the state’s biggest geographically. The legislation failed to advance.
LaNatra, a mother of four and wife of a Kingston Police Department veteran, has faced criticism from conservative groups for her perceived lack of spending restraint. She has received low ratings from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.