Persis S. YuPersis S. Yu

JP Progressives is happy to endorse Persis Yu for State Senate in the Norfolk & Suffolk District. Persis Yu is exactly the kind of progressive we need in the legislature. She brings alignment on our values and policy positions, an impressive track record of delivering real change, and a connection with voters across the democratic spectrum. During her nearly two decades as a consumer rights attorney and advocate, she has secured billions of dollars in student debt relief, filed class action lawsuits that directly cancelled hundreds of thousands of dollars in predatory employer debt, and led campaigns that resulted in worker protection laws in more than a dozen states. In addition to being an accomplished attorney, Persis is a trained social worker. This combination means she is grounded in the realities many voters face when navigating broken government support systems while also having the legal toolkit to understand how to reshape these systems, whether in court or in the policy arena. The contrast with incumbent Senator Mike Rush could not be starker. Rush has cosponsored zero out of 22 progressive bills featured by Progressive Massachusetts in the current legislative session. In 2018 and 2020, Rush earned an F and a D-minus from Progressive Massachusetts on their legislative Scorecard, based largely on his opposition to criminal justice reform and to legislation backing women’s reproductive rights. While his scores may have improved in recent years, this is likely due to his appointment as majority whip in 2021 and his closer alignment to the votes of Senate leadership. This year, Senator Rush declined to submit a questionnaire (and is thus ineligible for endorsement). On the other hand, Persis’ responses to the Progressive Mass questionnaire demonstrate her full alignment and commitment to progressive positions across every issue: from rent control and single-payer healthcare to transgender protections, immigrant rights, and a transparent legislature. And it’s not just words—she has spent her entire career outside the legislature advocating to advance policies on these issues. After 23 years of Mike Rush in office without even a primary challenge for the last 10 years, the district deserves a senator who will bring a true progressive agenda and do more than just follow the instructions of Senate leadership. Persis Yu is that candidate: a proven coalition-builder, a relentless advocate, and a bold progressive voice ready to deliver real change on Beacon Hill.

A working mom and active BPS parent, trained as a lawyer and social worker, Persis Yu is an experienced consumer rights attorney and champion for families and workers. During her nearly two decades as a consumer rights attorney and advocate, she has secured billions of dollars in student debt relief, filed class action lawsuits that directly cancelled hundreds of thousands of dollars in predatory employer debt, and led campaigns that resulted in worker protection laws in more than a dozen states. She combines expert knowledge, a proven track record, and strong progressive values. Learn more about Persis at https://www.electpersis.com/.

Persis Yu has also been endorsed by our chapters JP Progressives and Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale.

(D), Candidate for Norfolk and Suffolk, which includes Boston, Dedham, Norwood, Walpole and Westwood.