Gentile looks ahead after ‘bittersweet’ decision to forgo ‘26 reelection bid

State Rep. Carmine Gentile says that every two years, he would ask his wife to give him the green light to seek reelection. 

“Two years ago, it was yellow, and yellow turned to green,” he said.

“It was red this time.”

Gentile, a Democrat, announced this month that he would not seek another term representing the 13th Middlesex District, which includes part of Acton.

He said he’s proud of what he’s accomplished over more than a decade in office. He’s excited for his next act, including spending time with his family and flying the fleet of model planes waiting in his basement. And he’s optimistic about major projects in Acton. 

Gentile, who lives in Sudbury, won his first State House election in 2014. He started representing Acton’s precincts three and four in 2023 after the commonwealth’s decennial redistricting. Those precincts include more than 40% of Acton’s population.

He most recently won reelection in 2024, and his current term ends next January. 

Gentile wound down his legal practice when he pivoted to politics but still takes on a few clients. 

Though he still serves on a handful of Sudbury municipal boards, Gentile is worried about national politics and told The Acton Bridge he expects to spend more time on national and regional advocacy outside Massachusetts. 

His son and his family live in the Washington, D.C., area, and Gentile expects to see them more often once he leaves office.

He started building and flying remote control model planes with his son while his son was in middle school. Gentile estimates he has about a half-dozen model planes in a “mini-boneyard,” referencing a term for old airplane dumping sites. 

Looking back on his legislative career, Gentile touted accomplishments including an effort to catalog and test “rape kits” that could help identify perpetrators. 

Among local bills and projects: 

• He is cosponsoring a bill that would let Acton add a proportional “transfer fee” on property sales over $1 million. Revenue would go toward affordable housing.
• State authorities have reiterated their call for housing on the MCI-Acton property. “The people of Acton need to decide how much housing they want to put up,” Gentile said. “Certainly, it’s a good idea.”
• Gentile has dealt with drawn-out transportation projects in the past. He thinks crews might be breaking ground on a Route 2 rotary redesign “in a few years.” He said he thinks Interim Transportation Secretary Phil Eng “will make really good decisions” when asked about his preferred design and said he wants to see a model that boosts pedestrian and bicycle access across the area. 

State Rep. Simon Cataldo, who represents the rest of Acton, said it’s been “an absolute honor” working with Gentile. 

State Sen. Michael Barrett, whose district includes Acton, lauded Gentile’s “quiet integrity,” and Select Board Chair Mark Howell touted Gentile as “a great partner.” 

Gentile said “it’s incredible” how civically engaged people are in Acton. 

“It’s bittersweet to walk away,” he said. 

In some respects, at 72 years old, he said he’s “living on borrowed time.” His dad and grandparents died in their 60s.

He credited his wife, Linda, and his doctor for watching over his health. 

“I could live to be 90,” he said.

This story includes previously published information.

With Gentile’s support, aide launches bid to succeed him

State Rep. Carmine Gentile is backing his former legislative aide to become the 13th Middlesex District’s next lawmaker.

Fellow Sudbury Democrat Ravi Simon announced his candidacy earlier this month, less than 24 hours after his boss said he wouldn’t seek reelection.

Simon said he’s resigned his role as Gentile’s aide so he can focus on his campaign “to continue our work.”  

Simon filed with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance and named Gentile’s wife, Linda Hench-Gentile, as his committee treasurer.

He said he would be the first person of South Asian descent to serve in the Massachusetts legislature if elected. 

Simon chairs the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee and had just over $7,000 left over from his municipal campaign as he declared his State House candidacy. He told The Acton Bridge that he would remain on the school board during his run, but would step down if elected to the legislature.

State Sen. Michael Barrett said he hadn’t heard of any other contenders as of February 11, but told The Bridge he “wouldn’t be surprised” if some emerged. 

Gentile estimated roughly a half-dozen people had been considering a campaign if he bowed out. Now, he said, “I’m sure all of them are kind of scratching their heads, thinking about maybe they’ll run, maybe they won’t.”

Simon “has tremendous support,” he said, and “I think he will do a terrific job as state rep.”

— Dakota Antelman