STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
After 15 years in the House, Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein plans to resign from the Legislature this month to take a job with the Boston Beer Company, a move that opens up a top slot on House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s leadership team.
A Revere Democrat, Reinstein was an early backer of DeLeo’s bid to become speaker in 2009, and was subsequently named by DeLeo as second assistant majority leader, the fifth-highest post in the House hierarchy.
Reinstein has been a strong proponent of expanded gambling, advocating for Suffolk Downs, which is bidding to become a casino, and the former Wonderland track, which was shuttered after voters banned dog racing.
Though Reinstein has been a vocal supporter of Suffolk Downs’ new bid to partner with Mohegan Sun to bring a casino to Revere, she said Thursday that her impending resignation will preclude her from actively participating in the Feb. 25 referendum vote in Revere on whether to support a casino.
“I hope the residents of Revere will join me in voting YES for Mohegan Sun & Suffolk Downs to cite a casino in the city of Revere. As we have seen by the recent host community agreement, this development will bring much needed jobs, revenue, & improvements to the City of Revere and its surrounding communities,” Reinstein said in a statement.
Reinstein plans to resign on Jan. 17 to become the government affairs manager for the Boston Beer Company, which brews Samuel Adams. “This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me, but a very difficult decision to make. I want to thank all of you for your support and especially for your friendship,” Reinstein posted on her Facebook page Thursday morning.
Reinstein is serving her eighth term representing the 16th Suffolk District, which includes portions of Revere, Chelsea, and Saugus.
First elected when she was 27 years old to fill the seat previously held by her late father William Reinstein, Reinstein has her undergraduate degree from Suffolk University in public relations and a master’s degree in political communication from Emerson College. Prior to joining the House, Reinstein worked for Merrill Lynch in Boston.
Reinstein is taking a path beaten down by many of her former colleagues and Beacon Hill staffers who have moved into government affairs and lobbying after leaving the Legislature, many departing recently mid-term for more lucrative opportunities.
“Wow. I’m happy for her,” said Rep. Paul Donato, a Medford Democrat, who said he spent time with Reinstein last week but had no inkling that she was preparing to leave. “It does make people reflect about those in public office. I think the financial remuneration is such that it makes people think, if you’re trying to make ends meet with $60,000 a year. You want to offer me a job for $120,000? I’ll leave tomorrow. If you have a chance to go out and better yourself both financially and professionally, these are the times to do it.”
There are currently two – soon to be three – vacancies in the House created by the departures of Republican Reps. Dan Winslow and Donald Humason and the pending resignation of Boston Mayor-elect Marty Walsh. If the House opts to schedule a special election for Reinstein’s seat rather than wait until the regularly scheduled elections in November, it would be the fourth special election on the calendar for 2014. The Senate has scheduled a special election to fill the seat formerly held by Katherine Clark, who was elected to the US House in a special election.
