As a ten-year incumbent in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Cheryl Coakley-Rivera is the highest-ranking, longest-serving openly gay elected official in the State House.  However, she isn’t satisfied with that accomplishment and is eager to do more for Massachusetts.

Cheryl currently is the co-chair for the Committee of Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.  For her record in the 2005-06 Legislative session for the Massachusetts House of Representatives Cheryl received an ‘A’ for her work on being an effective leader for children and families according to the Massachusetts Scorecard, a state government watch dog.  She also helped stop a $12 million cut from the Department of Health and Human Services for HIV/AIDS prevention education.

In 2006, Cheryl garnered over 75 percent of the vote.  However, she will face her previous Republican opponent again in 2008 and it will be likely that the same issues raised last time will be at the forefront again. Cheryl is one of Massachusetts’ most valuable legislators in the state.  Not only is she dedicated to the causes close to her, she is also resourceful and a down-to-earth, sensible individual.