State Sen. William J. Driscoll Jr., a Milton Democrat, is running for reelection to the Massachusetts State Senate representing the Norfolk, Plymouth & Bristol District. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.

Driscoll is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Before entering elected office, Driscoll said he spent more than a decade in disaster response and humanitarian aid, according to his campaign website. He said that after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, shortly after he graduated from Boston College, he traveled to Mississippi for what he expected to be a two-week trip. It became a two-year mission assisting underserved communities in Mississippi facing the storm's aftermath, he said.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic

Residence: East Milton Square, Milton. Driscoll said he and his wife, Beca, purchased their first home there more than 10 years ago. They have two sons.

Education: Master in public administration, Harvard Kennedy School, 2025; certificate in advanced crisis leadership, Harvard University, 2020; bachelor's in communications, Boston College, 2005; Boston College High School, 2001, according to his campaign website and BallotReady.

Experience and public service

Driscoll has served as state senator for the Norfolk, Plymouth & Bristol District since 2025, according to BallotReady. He represented the 7th Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House from 2017 to 2025.

In the Senate, Driscoll said he serves as Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and vice chair of both the Joint Committee on Public Safety and the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, according to his official website. He is also a member of the FEMA National Advisory Council, he said.

In the House, Driscoll said he chaired the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management from 2021 to 2025. He has served as a commissioner on the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission since 2023, he said.

Before entering politics, Driscoll said he founded Persevere Disaster Relief in 2006. He said he served as director of U.S. operations at All Hands Volunteers from 2007 to 2011 and executive director of NECHAMA-Jewish Response to Disaster from 2011 to 2016. He also served as interim president and CEO of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster from May 2015 to May 2016, he said.

He said he has responded to more than 40 disasters in the U.S. and worked in Peru and Mexico.

Driscoll said he received the Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us Award in 2005 and the Presidential Call to Service Award in 2006, presented by First Lady Laura Bush. He also received the Boston College Young Alumni Award in 2006 and the BC High St. Ignatius Award in 2012, he said.

On the issues

Public safety: Driscoll said he would use his experience as a legislator and leader in crisis management and disaster response "to navigate the uncertain times ahead and to diligently work with colleagues on Beacon Hill to deliver results for our region."

Sources: Public campaign materials, published candidate profiles and the public records linked above. Policy statements are attributed to the candidate; funding or implementation details are included where available.

The Milton-Canton Ledger did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.