Sciortino To Leave State House for AIDS Action Committee

State Rep. Carl Sciortino is resigning from his post to become the executive director of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, according to the advocacy organization.

The 35-year-old Sciortino has represented the 34th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Medford and Somerville, for nine years. He will leave office effective Friday, April 4.

Sciortino will become the first person living with HIV to lead the organization since its founding in 1982.

“As a gay man living with HIV,” Sciortino said in a statement, “I am honored to lead one of the country’s oldest and most effective organizations in the battle against this disease which has raged on over 30 years.

“My goal for AIDS Action in the years ahead is simple: continue the work that has resulted in lowering the rate of new HIV diagnoses in Massachusetts; provide the multitude of services needed to keep those living with HIV/AIDS connected with health care providers; and continue the public conversation about HIV needed to reduce the stigma that is still so closely associated with this disease.”

Rebecca Haag has led the organization since 2003.

Sciortino ran for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey’s old congressional seat last fall but lost to eventual winner Katherine Clark in the Democratic primary.

He lives in Medford with his husband.

Read AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts’ full release for more >>