State Sen. Steven Baddour is leaving his legislative post to take a job with a Boston law firm, The Daily News' sister paper, The Eagle-Tribune, has learned.
A source close to the Methuen Democrat confirmed Baddour will today announce his plans to step down. The source would not say when Baddour's last day on Beacon Hill will be or which law firm he is going to work for.
Baddour did not return repeated calls for comment.
Baddour was elected to the First Essex District Senate seat in a January 2002 special election. The First Essex District includes Newburyport, Amesbury, Merrimac, Salisbury, Methuen, Haverhill and four precincts in North Andover.
According to state law, the resignation of a senator must "become effective within 14 days from submission of a letter of resignation or a letter of intent to resign to the Senate President's Office."
State law does call for a special election when a lawmaker resigns during his or her term. However, the state Legislature can vote to cancel a special election.
Depending on Baddour's departure date, the earliest a special election could be held would likely be July — less than two months before the state primary where the seat would already be up for grabs.
Before his Senate election, Baddour worked as an assistant attorney general for the state. While serving on Beacon Hill, Baddour also maintained a law practice in Methuen.
During his 10 years on Beacon Hill, Baddour quickly climbed the ranks and was named chairman of the powerful Joint Transportation Committee. He currently serves as vice-chair and was recently named Legislator of the Year for 2011 by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
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