Stephen Buoniconti, as long suspected, announced his candidacy for Hampden DA, making him the 8th Massachusetts state senator -- out of 40 -- to opt out of running for re-election. Two other seats are currently vacant, soon to be filled via special election.
In other words, at least a quarter of the senate is turning over this year -- and as of January at least 40% will be new since the start of 2009.
So... who's left?
Here's my quick breakdown of the 30 returning (they hope!) senators, with their first year in the senate in parentheses.
9 Newbies (less than 5 yrs): Candaras ('07), Chang-Diaz ('09), Donnelly ('09), Downing ('07), Eldridge ('09), Flanagan ('09), Kennedy ('09), M. Moore ('09), Petrucelli ('07)
7 Veterans (5-10 yrs): Baddour ('02), Chandler ('01), Hart ('02), Jehlen ('05), McGee ('02), Spilka ('05), Timilty ('04)
4 Old-timers (more than 10 yrs), leadership: Berry ('83), Murray ('93), Rosenberg ('91), Tolman ('99)
7 Old-timers (more than 10 yrs), non-leadership: Brewer ('97), Creem ('99), Fargo ('97), Joyce ('98), Montigny ('93), R. Moore ('96), Pacheco ('93),
3 Republicans (time irrelevant): Hedlund ('94), Knapik ('95), Tarr ('95)
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