MARBLEHEAD — State Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), who represents the 8th Essex District, announced in a statement on Thursday she has been selected as the Region 1 Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Biden Administration.
As an administrator, she will oversee a six-state coalition that includes the states of Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
“I am honored to accept this appointment from President Biden, a man I have profound respect for, and greatly look forward to assisting with the emergency-management needs of the six states and tribal lands of New England,” said Ehrlich.
Ehrlich, who has represented the communities of Marblehead, Swampscott and Lynn for 14 years, will step down from her role as a state representative and will be sworn in as the Region 1 Administrator on Jan. 31.
In her online farewell message, Ehrlich thanked several Massachusetts politicians, including U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey and Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy).
“Without their friendship and support this would not be possible,” Ehrlich said. “Responding to the needs of my constituents during the pandemic and working to help communities become resilient to intensifying climate change prepared me particularly well for some of FEMA’s primary and essential functions.”
Ehrlich assumed office in 2008. During her tenure, she has served on multiple committees, including serving as vice chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Joint Committee from 2011-14, vice chair of the Health Care Financing Joint Committee from 2015-16, and chair of the Export Development Committee from 2017-20. She currently serves as the House chair of the Municipalities and Regional Government Joint Committee.
In terms of legislation, Ehrlich has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that revolve around environmental protections, such as reducing carbon emissions, gas-pipeline infrastructure and transitioning from plastic bags to paper and renewable bags.
Ehrlich has also pushed for legislation that would help local journalism outlets. In 2021, she, along with state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) added a section to the Enabling Partnerships for Growth Act that would create a state commission to assess the state of local journalism in Massachusetts.
The commission, which is slated to go into effect this year, will study the adequacy of press coverage in Massachusetts cities and towns and the sustainability of local press business models.
Before serving in the legislature, Ehrlich founded two environmental nonprofits. She also played a major role in shutting down a coal plant in the area and cleaning up the pollution that is produced in Wenham Lake — a source of water for more than 80,000 residents.
Her passion for protecting the environment and taking action has earned her the nickname, “Mother Grizzly from Marblehead.”
In her new role as Region 1 Administrator, Ehrlich will continue her work in environmental studies, as she will be focused on helping states respond to climate emergencies and helping to preserve land.
With her departure from the State House, however, a special election will need to take place to fill the vacancy she will leave behind. No special election or primary date has been decided as of yet.
