Massachusetts: James Marzilli

BOSTON - Moments after state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson's resignation letter was read in the Senate chamber Wednesday, state Senate President Therese Murray said the Senate is emerging from a trying time.

"The shadow is lifting, and in time, hopefully not too long from now, the good work of the Senate and our commitment to the people will once again be the focus of all inquiry and conversation," Murray, a Plymouth Democrat, said.

Jim Marzilli has resigned from the state Senate, according to Senate President Therese Murray's office.

In a letter to Murray, Marzilli, an Arlington Democrat, stated: "I hereby offer my resignation, effective at 5 P.M. on Friday, November 14."

State Senate President Therese Murray blasted state Sen. James Marzilli on Thursday for his October trip to Berlin, Germany, to attend an environmental forum.

Murray (D-Plymouth) said Marzilli's (D-Arlington) travels were inappropriate given the fact that he is currently facing charges of sexual harassment and is under review by the Senate Ethics Committee.

In the race for James Marzilli's state Senate seat, Ken Donnelly raised significantly more money than his opponent in the Democratic primary, Jack Hurd, relying significantly on his ties to firefighter unions across the country, according to campaign finance reports.

[img_assist|nid=337|title=Ken Donnelly|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=124|height=180]But, with just a week until that primary, Hurd has more cash on hand than Donnelly.