Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Our cherished colleague Setti Warren, Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, passed away suddenly on Sunday Nov. 1, 2025. His work and character improved many lives. He held many prominent roles including: Iraq War veteran; mayor of his hometown of Newton, Massachusetts; head of FEMA’s New England operations; multiple White House appointments; devout Catholic; husband to Tassy; and father to Abigail and John.
CPF Director Bob Shrum worked with Setti when they were both on the John Kerry presidential campaign. Bob was Senior Advisor to Senator Kerry, and Setti was his Trip Director and later Deputy Director for Kerry’s Massachusetts office. Bob Shrum remembers, “Setti was a powerful force in that campaign and a great friend to all of us.”
Governor Deval Patrick said Setti was “joyful about his politics and his service, and he had ambitions for others to bring that same joy and focus on the people served to politics in Massachusetts and beyond.”
His loss hurts the wider world of institutes of politics, including ours. He will be missed for years to come.