East Boston Sen. Lydia Edwards has bucked Beacon Hill tradition by not immediately resigning her municipal post after joining the Legislature.
A spokesperson for the now-senator said Edwards has "no comment" on whether she will resign from the City Council "but is happy to talk about it in the future."
Edwards, the City Councilor for East Boston, Charlestown and the North End, was sworn in Thursday as a new state senator. She now represents those parts of the city as well as Cambridgeport, Revere and Winthrop after winning a January special election to replace former Sen. Joe Boncore.
Edwards was also reelected to Boston's District 1 in November with no opposition and could serve out her city term until 2024. If she resigns as a councilor, it would trigger a special election to fill out her city term.
"Senator Edwards loves representing Charlestown, East Boston and the North End and is also excited that individuals who have expressed interest in representing District One are representative of the district, including women, immigrants and people of color with deep histories of civic service," Edwards' spokesperson wrote to GBH News from a campaign email address after Edwards was sworn into the Senate by Gov. Charlie Baker Thursday.
Municipal officials are not prohibited from retaining their city or town positions once elected to the State House, though it's rare for such high-profile positions as Boston councilor or state senator. Former East Boston Sen. Robert Travaglini served as a City Councilor before his election to the Senate and retained both positions throughout much of 1993.
The spokesman said Edwards has begun to recruit constituents to assist her in what she's calling "a transitional phase," but it's unclear if Edwards means she is transitioning into the Senate, out of City Hall or both.
When she was sworn in Thursday afternoon, Edwards became the 13th woman in the Senate and the third person of color. At the moment, Edwards is the only Black member of the Senate.
State senators earn a minimum of $70,530 a year, with additional pay for serving on committees or in leadership roles. Boston City Council members earn $103,500 annually, putting Edwards' minimum combined salary at $174,030 a year. Edwards' campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether Edwards will decline any state or city pay while serving in both jobs.
Of questions from GBH News, Edwards' spokesman said: "At time of inquiry, hours after inauguration, Senator Edwards has taken no action with regard to her council role and she is pleased to be spending time with Bridget Edwards, her mother and members of her community."
Edwards was virtually assured of election to the Senate over five weeks ago when
she won the Democratic primary. Facing no Republican opposition, she won the general election earlier this month.
