Lorena Betts elected to Massachusetts House of Representatives

Lorena Betts, a Brazilian native from Mato Grosso, has been elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a Democrat. Her victory occurred during the United States midterm elections held on November 3, 2026.

Betts originally moved to the United States through the Au Pair exchange program to study English, with initial plans to return to Brazil to work in nursing. After settling in the U.S., she transitioned into a career as a legal interpreter and translator in the immigration sector. She later studied Political Science and became involved in community activities and the Massachusetts State Legislature.

As a representative, Betts has stated her priorities include ensuring affordable housing and strengthening the economy for working families. Her election was part of a midterm cycle characterized by record diversity, including the election of the first Black woman to govern a state and the first Indigenous woman in a state government and the Senate. The Democratic Party secured majorities in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives during this election cycle.