Keiko Orrall


Keiko Matsudo Orrall is an American Republican politician, formerly a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 12th Bristol district, which includes Berkley, Ward 3 – Precinct B and Ward 4 in Taunton, Lakeville, and Precincts 2, 4 and 5 of Middleborough. On February 13, 2018, she announced that she would not seek reelection and instead run for Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In doing so, she became the first Asian-American woman to seek constitutional office in Massachusetts.
She is currently a member of the Republican National Committee, serving as the National Committeewoman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.

Early life

Orrall is the granddaughter of Japanese, Irish, and German immigrants. Two of her uncles served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment of the United States Army during World War II and were awarded Purple Hearts.
Orrall was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is one of five children. She graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. While attending Smith, she met her husband, Norman, who was studying at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Keiko and Norman have two grown children and currently reside in Lakeville, Massachusetts.
Before being elected to the Massachusetts legislature, Orrall worked as a public school teacher and had served on the Lakeville Finance Committee.

Political career

State Representative

In June 2011, Stephen Canessa announced that he was resigning his position as representative in the 12th Bristol district. A special election was scheduled to fill his seat for the remainder of the term. Orrall ran against Lakeville selectman Derek Maksy in the Republican primary, defeating him with 59% of the vote. Orrall faced Middleborough Democrat Roger Brunelle in the special general election, and defeated him with 54% of the vote. Orrall was subsequently re-elected in November of 2012, 2014, and 2016, running unopposed the latter two times.
Orrall served on the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology, and the Joint Committee on Export Development. Orrall was vocal against a proposal for a tribal casino plan for a location in East Taunton, Massachusetts. She consistently called for more compensation to surrounding communities to mitigate the impact of the casino, especially on those towns she represented. Orrall also played a role in the issues surrounding the water levels in Lakeville's Assawompset Pond Complex.

2018 bid for State Treasurer

On February 13, 2018, Orrall announced her candidacy for Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts. In November, Orrall lost to incumbent Democrat Deb Goldberg in the 2018 Massachusetts general election, by more than a 2-to-1 margin.

Electoral history

2011

Orrall defeated Democrat Roger Brunelle in a special election held in September 2011 for the Massachusetts General Court 12th Bristol District seat.

2012

2014

Orrall was unopposed in both the primary election and the general election, and was re-elected to the Massachusetts General Court.

2016

Orrall again ran unopposed, and was re-elected to the Massachusetts General Court.

2018

Orrall was unsuccessful in her bid for the position of Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts.