Simon Cataldo ’08 won the contested Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 14th Middlesex District state representative seat last month.
“It’s uncanny how much of my coursework studying environmental science and chemistry at Colorado College relates to what’s happening in the Massachusetts legislature today,” says Cataldo, who majored in environmental science. “My friends at CC have helped me at every step of my professional journey after graduation, and running for office has been no different.”
Cataldo bested Vivian Birchall and Pat Wojtas in the primary election, which took place on Sept. 6.
"Both Vivian and Pat contributed important messages, policy ideas, experiences, and perspectives to this Democratic primary. We are all better off for their service to the community, their impressive candidacies, and the positive impact they will continue to make upon our district,” Cataldo’s campaign stated after the race was called in Cataldo’s favor. “I am grateful to have run in a primary that was, from beginning to end, focused on issues. In today’s political climate, that is not something to be taken for granted. The mutual admiration and congeniality many of you have observed among the three of us in our public appearances is genuine.”
The Associated Press called the race on the morning of Sept. 7, according to MassLive. Simon Cataldo received over 57% of the votes; Birchall received almost 28%; and Wojtas received almost 15%.
Cataldo was involved in a number of extracurriculars while at Colorado College, including being a student researcher for the 2008 State of the Rockies Report Card. After graduating, he joined Teach for America, where he worked as a special education math teacher in Harlem. While teaching, Cataldo and Tom Dugan ’08 founded Harlem Lacrosse, which is now a national nonprofit that serves over 3,000 children in inner-city schools.
Cataldo attended the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was the managing editor of the law review. After graduating, he served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section, as well as prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases involving public officials, including the trial of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who later became the first individual pardoned by former President Donald Trump.
State Rep. Tami Gouveia currently holds the seat for the 14th Middlesex District in Massachusetts. Gouveia, a Democrat, took office on Jan. 2, 2019, and her term will end on Jan. 4, 2023.
The district is made up Action, Carlisle, Chelmsford, and Concord, which is Simon Cataldo’s hometown. He will face Republican Rodney Cleaves in the general election on Nov. 8.