Deborah B. Goldberg, the incumbent Massachusetts treasurer and receiver general, is seeking reelection as a Democrat in the Nov. 3 general election. Republican Elizabeth Dionne is also running for the seat.

Asked why she is running, Goldberg said in our candidate questionnaire that her "mission has always been investing in people and ensuring we create economic stability and opportunity for everyone here in Massachusetts …"

Candidate information

Party: Democrat

Education: Goldberg said in our questionnaire: "Bachelor of Arts Degree from Boston University, J.D. from Boston College Law School and an MBA from Harvard Business School."

Family: "I am married to Michael Winter and have two wonderful children, Evan and Meredith," Goldberg said in our questionnaire.

Family in politics or government: "No one in my family currently works in politics or government," Goldberg said.

Experience and public service

Goldberg said in our questionnaire: "I am the current Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General. For many years I focused on the non-profit world. I was acting Executive Director and then the President of Adoptions with Love, served on the Advisory Board of the Greater Boston Food Bank, on the Board of the Center for Collaborative Education, was one of the founders of Berkshire Hills Music Academy, a school for individuals with intellectual disabilities, was a trustee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a Director at its Affiliated Physicians Group / BIDHC prior to the BILH merger …"

Asked about previous elected or appointed offices, Goldberg said: "Current Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General; Past Brookline Select Board Member (Chair for last two years), Past Brookline Town Meeting Member, Past Appointed Member of the Commonwealth Covenant Fund."

On the issues

Pension fund: Asked about the state pension system's unfunded liability, Goldberg said in our questionnaire: "When I was elected, the fund sat at $59 billion. It has more than doubled and sits at $129.5 billion today. Then the unfunded liability was 41%. Today it's 32%. We will be fully funded by 2038 by continuing strategies that have made PRIM one of the top performers in its class …" She added: "The last 3 years, the fund has grown 11% annually while anticipated return to be fully funded requires only 7%."

Unclaimed property: Asked what specific change residents would notice, Goldberg said: "So we have worked with our technology partners for 1 ½ years on an enhancement to our Unclaimed Property division to facilitate payments for Massachusetts residents. Our pilot will begin October 26 with a test group of 5000 people. We will mail a letter to a verified person with a QR code and direct URL linking to a safe landing page …"

Lottery revenue: Asked whether lottery revenue should be distributed differently, Goldberg said: "This year the legislature has proposed a new Special Commission to evaluate the distributions and how they can be improved fairness …" She added: "But as a former chair of a local select board, I know the need for increased local aid and will be very interested to see the work of the Commission and its proposals that create the most balanced distribution for all communities, including places like Needham, Lexington and Andover."

Ethics: Asked about ethics standards, Goldberg said: "I, and everyone in my offices, are required every 2 years to take the Conflict of Interest Law Training administered by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission …" She noted that "Additionally, since Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform 2010, Treasurers cannot take contributions from the investment world doing business with the pension fund."

Endorsements

The race has drawn labor support. According to Goldberg's campaign site and the Boston Herald, she has received the following endorsements:

  • Massachusetts AFL-CIO
  • UNITE HERE Local 26 Massachusetts
  • Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee
  • Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire for the Brookline Record. Questionnaire quotations are excerpted without changing the candidate’s wording.