Dawne Frances Shand
Democratic · MA · Massachusetts State Representative, 1st Essex District
Dawne Shand has represented Newburyport, Amesbury, Merrimac, and Salisbury in the Massachusetts House since 2023; she is a published writer and former leader of the Mass Women's Political Caucus. Her priorities are health care costs, coastal flood resilience, and housing.
Where Dawne Frances Shand stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (1 record), Immigration (1 record), Housing Affordability (1 record),
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (2 records)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 support
Voted for the 2024 climate law that sped up permits for clean energy projects and expanded electric vehicle charging. The House vote was 128-17.
November 14, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Immigration
Immigration · 1 support
Voted for the PROTECT Act, which banned civil immigration arrests in courthouses without a judge's warrant and limited police help with federal immigration enforcement. The House vote was 134-21.
March 25, 2026Supports Immigration
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 2 oppose
Voted for a spending bill that added $425 million for the emergency shelter system and tightened eligibility, including a six-month limit on stays. The House vote was 127-23.
February 26, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: malegislature.gov
Voted for the Affordable Homes Act, a $5.16 billion housing bond law that also allowed accessory apartments by right statewide. The House vote was 128-24.
August 1, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Voted for the Affordable Homes Act, a $5.16 billion housing bond law that also allowed accessory apartments by right statewide. The House vote was 128-24.
August 1, 2024Supports Housing Affordability
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 1 support
Voted for a spending bill that added $425 million for the emergency shelter system and tightened eligibility, including a six-month limit on stays. The House vote was 127-23.
February 26, 2025Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Gun Control
Gun Control · 1 support
Voted for the final 2024 gun law, which banned untraceable 'ghost guns' and expanded the assault-weapons ban and the red flag law. The House vote was 124-33.
July 18, 2024Supports Gun Control
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Women's Reproductive Rights
Women's Reproductive Rights · 3 support
Voted for the bill that removed the 24-week limit on abortion, leaving later abortions to a doctor's medical judgment. The House vote was 119-33.
July 22, 2026Supports Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: malegislature.gov
Filed a 2025 bill (H.1991) to let minors consent to their own abortion care without needing a parent's or judge's approval. On March 26, 2026 it was sent to study, ending it without a vote.
March 26, 2026Supports Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: malegislature.gov
Voted for the 2025 law that barred state agencies from helping out-of-state or federal investigations into abortion or gender-affirming care that is legal in Massachusetts. The House vote was 132-24.
July 31, 2025Supports Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Personal Income Tax Reduction
Personal Income Tax Reduction · 1 support
Voted for the 2023 tax relief law that raised the child tax credit and cut the estate tax and the short-term capital gains tax. The House vote was 155-1.
September 27, 2023Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 support
Voted for the 2025 law that barred state agencies from helping out-of-state or federal investigations into abortion or gender-affirming care that is legal in Massachusetts. The House vote was 132-24.
July 31, 2025Supports Civil Rights
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 1 support
Voted for the 2024 climate law that sped up permits for clean energy projects and expanded electric vehicle charging. The House vote was 128-17.
November 14, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: malegislature.gov
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Voted for a House leadership bill that put the governor under the public records law, kept lawmakers' correspondence private, and limited the state auditor's power to audit the Legislature. The House vote was 125-28.
June 3, 2026
Source: malegislature.gov
Voted for a bill banning student cellphone use in public schools during the school day and banning social media accounts for children under 14. The House vote was 129-25.
April 8, 2026
Source: malegislature.gov
Sponsored a law, signed March 27, 2024, that grew the Merrimac Select Board from three members to five.
March 27, 2024
Source: malegislature.gov
Past race Dawne Frances Shand ran in:
- Massachusetts State Representative 1st Essex District · November 3, 2026 · 1st Essex District; Massachusetts · incumbent