Senator deMacedo had no political experience prior to becoming a candidate for the
Massachusetts House of Representatives on November 3, 1998, running against the Democratic incumbent
Joseph Gallitano. He won the election by a tight margin of 189 votes. He subsequently won re-election as Massachusetts State Representative seven times, serving through 2014. As of 2016 he held the position of Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. His legislative priorities included solving the opiate epidemic facing Massachusetts and ensuring the Commonwealth's fiscal responsibility. Vinny served as one of five state senators (along with 11 state representatives) on the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy. During his 16 years in the Massachusetts House, he received many awards for his legislative work including: • Twice named Legislator of the Year - Massachusetts Town Clerks Association • Legislator of the Year -
Jewish Community Relations Council • Legislator of the Year – Council of Human Services Providers; and •
National Federation of Independent Business Guardian of Small Business Award. ==Biography==