Tufts Senior Pulls Papers for Sciortino's Seat

A Tufts University senior has pulled nomination papers to run for State Rep. Carl Sciortino’s seat.

Taylor Barnard, who is currently the National President of College Democrats of America, said he is "strongly considering" a run as a Democrat for the 34th Middlesex District seat in the state House of Representatives.

Sciortino announced Tuesday that he is resigning, effective Friday, April 4, to become the executive director of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.

Sciortino, 35, is a Tufts graduate. He has held the office, which represents parts of Medford and Somerville, for nine years.

Barnard is a Utah native who now lives in Medford. He is a double major in philosophy and political science with a minor in economics.

Barnard has had internships with the Massachusetts Democratic Party, the U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee Democratic Staff, the Office of Governmental Affairs in the Office of Gov. Deval Patrick and, most recently, in the White House Presidential Personnel Office.

Barnard’s full bio can be found on the College Democrats of America website.