Eric Lesser

Eric Philip Lesser
File:Eric Lesser Solo Photograph.jpg
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the First Hampden and Hampshire district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 6, 2015
Preceded by	Gale D. Candaras
Personal details
Born	(1985-02-27) February 27, 1985 Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Alison Silber
Residence	Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Education	Longmeadow High School Harvard College Harvard Law School
Occupation	Politician
Website	www.ericlesser.com

Eric Lesser (born February 27, 1985) is a Massachusetts State Senator and former White House aide from Longmeadow, Massachusetts. He is one of the originators of the White House Seder.

Early life, family and education

Lesser grew up in Longmeadow and graduated from Longmeadow High School. Lesser was known as an advocate for public schools, working with students, parents and teachers to increase school funding and improve education. He also worked for Congressman Richard Neal and Senator Ted Kennedy. Lesser was an active member of Sinai Temple, coordinating volunteer activities for high school students. He was an active volunteer with the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee.

Lesser’s father, Martin, is a family doctor in Holyoke, Massachusetts and a member of the Massachusetts National Guard. In 2010, he served a tour of duty in Iraq. Lesser’s mother, Joan, is a social worker in Holyoke.

After high school, Lesser received his bachelor's degree from Harvard College, where he majored in government. While in college, Lesser worked on the Deval Patrick gubernatorial campaign and led the Harvard College Democrats. Lesser also led a policy group on Congressional Redistricting Reform, and started a public policy research program at the Institute of Politics. Lesser was a student at Harvard Law School, where he was named of the “most impressive Harvard Law students” by Business Insider.

Political career

Obama presidential campaign

After college, Lesser joined Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, helping stage events in New Hampshire. After the primary, Lesser was tapped to be the campaign’s “Ground Logistics Coordinator,” traveling with the candidate to 47 states, six countries, and over 200,000 miles. Commenting on his logistical prowess, President Obama said “Eric Lesser may be running a Fortune 500 company one day," adding "We are lucky to have such a smart and committed young man as part of our team." During the campaign, Lesser organized an impromptu Passover Seder during a campaign stop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At the Passover Seder, then-Senator Obama promised “Next year in the White House.”

White House aide

After the campaign, David Axelrod tapped Lesser to serve as his Special Assistant, working just steps from the Oval Office. Lesser was described as a “wunderkind” and a “West Wing mascot” during his time at the White House. Lesser also worked at the Council of Economic Advisers, the White House unit charged with offering the President objective economic advice.

White House Seder

Main article: White House Passover Seder

File:Passover Seder Dinner at the White House 2011.jpg

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Lesser is one of the chief organizers of an annual White House Passover Seder attended by President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters – the first presidential Seder in American history. The seder is a reunion of the original group who met in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania during the 2008 campaign. Lesser brings handmade shmurah matzah from the Chabad-Lubavitch center in Springfield, MA. Over the years the Seder has grown in prominence. President Obama has discussed the Seder with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Sara Netanyahu gave the President a silver Seder plate to use in subsequent White House Seders. President Obama has spoken of the Seder in a speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and in an address before the Israeli people.

State Senate

On February 3, 2014, The Republican newspaper reported that Lesser was considering a bid for the First Hampden & Hampshire seat in the Massachusetts State Senate, recently vacated by Sen. Gale Candaras. On February 18, 2014, Lesser announced his candidacy for Massachusetts State Senate. On September 9, Lesser won the Democratic primary in the race for state senate. On November 4, Lesser defeated Republican Debra Boronski and America First candidate Mike Franco to win the State Senate seat.

Introduction of high speed rail

Lesser supports the introduction of a high speed rail system to ease travel between Eastern and Western Massachusetts. Lesser believes that if a high speed rail line existed between Springfield and Boston it would lead to an increase in employment and an overall boost to the economy of Western Massachusetts. In his first month, Senator Lesser filed a bill that would require a report of the costs and benefits of a high speed rail by August 1, 2015.

Four point plan for seniors

In May 2014, Lesser published an opinion piece in the Springfield Republican detailing a plan to support the increasing population of adults over 65 in Western Massachusetts. Lesser believes that in-home healthcare should be more affordable in order to allow seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible. His plan also includes two points regarding the physical and financial security of the elderly. Lesser wrote that the state should provide increased oversight of in-home healthcare agencies in order to reduce instances of elder abuse, and he supports the increased availability of computer and financial literacy education opportunities to decrease the number of seniors who fall victim to online and phone scams.

Plan to end opioid abuse

Lesser is an advocate for a proportional response to the heroin epidemic that resulted in 185 deaths in the first four months of 2014. He created and published a four-point plan in May 2014 including concrete steps to address the problem of addiction. The plan includes the addition of more drug courts specializing in sending drug users to treatment instead of jail to Western Massachusetts, work to end dependence on prescription drugs through partnerships with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other organizations, investment in new treatments that have shown promise in decreasing withdrawal symptoms, and an increase in the availability of the drug Narcan; which can save lives by reversing the effects of a heroin overdose. In January 2015, Lesser filed two bills regarding opioid abuse. The first attempts to close the pharmacy shopping loophole, while the second increases accessibility and affordability of Narcan.

Consulting

Lesser has consulted with HBO on the television show Veep since 2012.

Personal life

Lesser married attorney Alison Silber on December 31, 2011. They have one daughter, Rose.

External links

• Lesser Legislative website
• Lesser Campaign website