Andy X. Vargas serves as State Representative for the 3rd Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He is the Vice Chair of the MA Black and Latino Caucus and the Joint Committee on Economic Development. Rep. Vargas led the passage of several landmark bills that have mandated civics education, provided universal free school meals, and created the nation’s first gun violence prevention program housed within the Department of Public Health. He was also the lead sponsor of the most transformational zoning change in a generation, now known as the MBTA Communities Law, which ensures multifamily zoning near transit. Rep. Vargas was previously elected to the Haverhill City Council, where he became the city’s first Latino elected official. In addition to public service, he previously led marketing efforts at Entrepreneurship for All– an organization that uplifts under-resourced communities through inclusive entrepreneurship. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Boston University and Merrimack College. Rep. Vargas was an El Mundo 30 under 30 and Amplify Latinx 100 honoree. He is pursuing a mid-career MPA from HKS and resides in Haverhill with his wife Rikelma, sons Rubén and Henry, and their dog Merengue.
Andy is supported by funding through the Lisa Garcia Quiroz Graduate Fellowship.