BOSTON — Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin has announced he will seek a record ninth term in office this fall — despite telling voters just four years ago that he "quite likely" would not run again.

The 75-year-old Democrat, who has held the position since 1995 and served in the state Legislature since the mid-1970s, now says he wants to "extend his service" through 2030.

If he wins, Galvin will have controlled the office that oversees Massachusetts elections, lobbyist registration, and public records for an astonishing 35 years — stretching across five decades.

What changed his mind?

Galvin is blaming Donald Trump.

In a letter to the Democratic State Committee, the longest-serving state elections administrator in the nation said he is "greatly concerned with federal efforts to interfere with the conduct of elections" — pointing to the January 6 insurrection and what he called "ongoing efforts to manipulate congressional districts."

"As the longest serving state elections administrator in the nation, it is my intention to expose and resist any such efforts wherever attempted," Galvin wrote.

He also cited concerns about the 2030 Census, claiming the Trump administration is trying to limit the counting of immigrants — which would reduce federal aid and representation for Massachusetts.

But didn't he say he was done?

Yes. Before his last election in 2022, Galvin was asked directly if he would run again.

"I will have served a very long time," he told The Boston Globe at the time. "So, quite likely, I will not run again."

When pressed about those comments last fall, Galvin claimed he had "actually kept my options open" and pointed to "circumstances that have occurred" since then.

"There's a lot to concern myself with," he said. "Obviously circumstances dictate what happens."

A half-century of power

Galvin's grip on Massachusetts politics is remarkable by any measure.

He joined the state Legislature in the mid-1970s and served 16 years in the House before running for Secretary of State in 1994. He has held the office ever since, never earning less than 64% of the vote in any reelection campaign.

During Galvin's tenure as Secretary of State alone:

• 5 House speakers have come and gone
• 7 Senate presidents have wielded the gavel
• 7 different people have served as governor

He long ago crushed the previous record of 28 years set by former Secretary Frederic Cook.

The secret to his longevity?

Galvin has kept his face constantly before voters through his office's role in running elections. As the state's chief information officer, he frequently appears in official ads — taxpayer-funded name recognition that challengers struggle to match.

He has fended off primary and general election challengers with ease, and at 75, shows no signs of slowing down.

Whether Massachusetts voters want another four years of Galvin — or are ready for fresh leadership after three decades — will be decided this November.