Jim O’Day was born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts and attended Worcester Academy and Worcester State College. Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Science, with a specialization in Urban Studies and Management. After college, Jim served as a social worker for the Department of Social Services (now Department of Children and Families), serving families in central Massachusetts for over twenty-four years. In 2007, Jim ran in a special election for an open seat in the 14th Worcester District (composed of the town of West Boylston and parts of Worcester) in a hotly contested race. He went on to win the election in April 2007 and was sworn into the House of Representatives in May of 2007.

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Representative O’Day currently serves as the First Division Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He is also a member of the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling and the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting. Previously, Representative O'Day served as the chairman of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs and the chairman of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. He is also an active member of the Central Massachusetts Labor Council. Representative O’Day recognizes the important role that government plays in every community and the many different services that are provided to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. In addition, Representative O’Day is a Licensed Social Worker and has extensive experience in education and group counseling at a treatment facility in central Massachusetts. Jim currently serves on the Advisory Board for Rockdale Recovery High School and is an active and vocal advocate for the recovery community.

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Jim has lived in West Boylston for over twenty years with his wife Marybeth Murphy O’Day. He is the proud father of four sons and was very involved with youth, especially through coaching youth sports. He has conducted voter registration drives in high schools at the West Boylston High School and throughout Worcester.  Jim is also a member of the West Boylston Democratic Town Committee, the Worcester Tree Initiative and an Honorary Member of the Worcester Ward 3 Democratic City Committee. Additionally, he currently serves as an Incorporator with Children's Friend and regularly attends Worcester neighborhood safety meetings. Through his extensive involvement, Jim is proud to be an easily accessible and deeply committed member of his community.