BOSTON – Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford today announced his intention to step down from the position of Chair of the Party at the next meeting of the State Committee on April 24.  Bickford was first elected Chair in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, has helped guide the Party through an impressive period of Democratic wins up and down the ballot.

“Today, I look back on my record as Chair, twice elected by our Party leaders, with a great sense of pride. Over the last six years, we have flipped 19 legislative, county and statewide seats from Republican to Democrat control and have taken back the Governor’s office,” said Bickford. “The Democratic Party is my home. I’ve worked on Democratic campaigns my whole life. I served the Party as Executive Director in the early 90s, I even met my wife while we both were working on a campaign. This Party has come a long way since I got my start in politics, and I hope that I have done my part to make our Party more inclusive, more progressive, and most of all, more successful. When I became Chair I vowed to leave the Party in better condition than I found it, and I humbly believe that we have done that, which is why now is the right time for me to make space for a new leader.”

During Bickford’s six years as Chair, no Democratic incumbent has lost a general election for a legislative or statewide race.  In the same period, 19 seats previously held by Republicans flipped to Democratic control. In addition, the grassroots strength built by Chair Bickford helped elect Democrats across the country, including in Georgia where voters sent Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock to the United States Senate.

“Gus Bickford has dedicated his career to the Democratic Party and electing Democrats in Massachusetts and across the country,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It’s no coincidence that under Gus’ leadership, last year was one of the most successful years ever for our party – electing Democrats up and down the ticket. I want to thank Gus for his outstanding service as Party Chair, and he and Toody will always be a part of the Healey-Driscoll team. I look forward to what comes next.”

“Under Gus’ steadfast leadership, Massachusetts Democrats made history up and down the ballot time and time again — electing more women and people of color than ever before,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “As one of the most data savvy campaign strategists in America, he’s a political mechanic who fights from the heart and knows how to win.”

Bickford added, “I am so proud to be able to step down as Chair with more Democrats in the legislature than when I began, and with an incredible team of Democrats in every statewide office, but especially with our historic Governor Healey.  This is not Goodbye. I will continue to be engaged in Massachusetts and national politics, and hope to see many of my fellow Democrats on the campaign trail.”