Senator Tisei on Senator Wilkerson's resignation

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei released the following statement following the resignation of Senator Dianne Wilkerson:

This has been a difficult year for the Massachusetts State Senate. In the span of just five months, not one but two of our members have been arrested and charged with serious crimes. Those arrests have cast a cloud of suspicion not only on the Senate, but on all of state government.

It’s a relief that Senator Wilkerson finally decided to resign today. Clearly, the fact that the Senate had voted unanimously to ask for her resignation showed that she has lost the support of her colleagues. I believe the Senate would have taken additional action had she not stepped down voluntarily.

The Senate as an institution is far more important than any of us as individuals. As elected officials, we must adhere to a higher standard of conduct and we must never bring disgrace on our office or abuse the public’s trust. Senator Wilkerson betrayed that trust, and is now paying the consequences for her actions.

Having served for 24 years in public office, I can say without hesitation that the Massachusetts Senate is – and always has been – comprised of individuals who take their role as public servants very seriously, and would never dream of betraying the public’s trust by using their office for personal gain. Their good work should not be tainted by the actions of the few members who have gone astray.

Now that Senator Wilkerson has resigned, the Senate can turn its attention to restoring the public’s faith in this venerable institution.