Home About Archives RSS Feed

Area Democrats Making Final Push For November Election

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff

Maura Healey is running for attorney general but she isn't just focused on her own campaign.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As Maura Healey's campaign for Attorney General enters the final weeks leading up to the November general election, the candidate is rallying the vote.

But not for herself.

On Saturday, Healey rallied area Democrats and volunteers for Martha Coakley's campaign for governor. 
 
"Seven years ago Martha Coakley gave me he opportunity of a lifetime. She scooped me out of private practice and made me head of her civil right's division. She empowered me and she empowered others in that office to go out every day and fight for people in this state," Healey said. 
 
In the Democrats' South Street office she told supporters that Coakley has led the fight for economic and social justice in the attorney general's office. 
 
"She knows as governor she will have an even greater platform to expand equality, to expand fairness," Healey said.
 
Recapping Coakley's work on such topics as the Defense of Marriage Act, foreclosures, and women's reproductive rights, Healey said Coakley has the values to move the state forward.
 
While Healey may have been focused on Coakley during Saturday's event, the Democrats are united in pushing for the entire ticket, which includes Healey for attorney general.
 
State Sen. Benjamin Downing has headed the Democrats' statewide "coordinated campaign," which aims to united the party after the primary into one effort in the general election.
 
"They've (Republicans and Independents) been able to focus on Nov. 4 since all the way back then. Our candidates were laser-like focus on Sept. 9. Our job at the coordinated campaign is making sure that our greatest strength, our talented pool of candidates, isn't used against us," Downing said. 
 
With just 17 days left, the campaign is switching from an effort to convince independents to vote for the Democratic ticket to an effort to get their supporters to the polls.
 
"We're switching from a persuasion universe. We're building off of what we've been doing for the past several months for Maura Healey, for Deborah Goldberg, for all of these folks, talking to friends, neighbors, folks who may be undecided. We're switching from that to a turnout universe," said Jerry Thompson, who is heading the regional "get out the vote campaign."
 
"We're focusing on really pulling out our voters."
 

Jerry Thornton said a good ground game could be the difference of 5 percent.

Thompson said a strong "ground game" of volunteers reminding voters who support Democratic candidates or are likely to support Democratic candidates can sway the election by as much as 5 percent. 
 
"This field program can really make or break everything," he said.
 
That five percent could prove to be very big in this gubernatorial election because Republican Charlie Baker and Coakley are polling dead even. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier says Baker's campaign as a lot more money to finish the final two weeks with an array of advertisements.
 
"All the money in the world isn't going to win an election if you don't have a ground game," she said.
 
Locally, Donna Todd Rivers has taken on coordinating volunteers for the final push. Across the walls of the campaign headquarters are large notepads asking for volunteers to fill hours in the final days.
 
The Democrats say they want to reach thousands of voters multiple times, so a lot of volunteer hours are needed.
 
But, they say that is what need to happen to continue what Gov. Deval Patrick has started over the last eight years.
 
"We have had a tremendous governor for the last eight years and I miss him already. But we have to look to the future. We have a slate of candidates who will continue that good work," said Mayor Daniel Bianchi.
 
Other elected officials at Saturday's rally were state Rep. Paul Mark, District Attorney David Capeless and City Councilors Nicholas Caccamo and Kathleen Amuso. Dan Johnson was in on hand representing U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.
     

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

News Headlines
Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc Participated in North American Open Championships
Pittsfield Police Participating in US 20 Speed Enforcement Project
MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC
Dalton ADA Committee Explores Expanding
Milne Public Library Trustees Announce New Library Director
Clark Art Presents Free Thematic Tour on Music in Art
BCC, Mill Town Partner to Support Philanthropy Through 40 Under Forty
SVMC' Wellness Connection: March 15
Pittsfield Community Meeting On Rest of the River Project
Slavic Easter Egg Decorating At Ventfort Hall

Where to vote in Berkshire County

State Election
Tuesday, Nov. 4

Voting is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Deadline to register or change party affiliation was Oct.15.


Candidates on the ballot in races for state office; all others on the ballot are unopposed. Links will take you to their campaign websites.

U.S. Senator
Edward J. Markey, Democrat
Brian J. Herr, Republican

Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Charlie Baker & Karyn Polito, Republican
Martha Coakley & Stephen Kerrigan, Democrat
Evan Falchuk & Angus Jennings, United Independent Party
Scott Lively & Shelly Saunders, Independent
Jeff McCormick & Tracy Post, Independent 

Attorney General
Maura Healey, Democratic
John B. Miller, Republican

Secretary of State
William Francis Galvin, Democratic
David D'Arcangelo, Republican
Daniel L. Factor, Green-Rainbow

Treasurer
Deborah B. Goldberg, Democratic
Michael James Heffernan, Republican
Ian T. Jackson, Green-Rainbow

Auditor
Suzanne M. Bump, Democratic
Patricia S. Saint Aubin, Republican
MK Merelice, Green-Rainbow

Municipal Elections

The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015

You may vote absentee: if you will be absent from your town or city on election day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls because to religious beliefs.

2010 Special Senate Election Results

Election 2009 Stories

Election Day 2008

 

 

 



Categories:
1st Berkshire (42)
2010 (0)
2011 (78)
2012 (59)
2013 (63)
2014 (76)
2nd Berkshire (29)
3rd Berkshire (19)
4th Berkshire (14)
attorney general (6)
auditor (5)
campaign (72)
candidate forums (49)
city council (40)
Congress (25)
election (74)
endorsements (47)
events (30)
fundraising (10)
governor (26)
letters (9)
local (18)
mayor (54)
news (8)
school committee (21)
selectmen (22)
selectmen (16)
sheriff (28)
state (24)
statements (45)
Archives:
Tags:
Boucher Debate Letters To The Editor Bosley Lieutenant Governor City Council Election 2014 Debates Town Elections Pittsfield Democratic Party Mark Selectmen Governor Campaign 1st Mass Szczepaniak Williamstown Town Election Bowler Preliminary North Adams Mayor Cariddi Macdonald Bissaillon Primary Democrat Independent U.s. Senate Candidates Berkshire Brigades Republican Party Special Election Election 2013
Popular Entries:
Five After Pittsfield's Corner Office
Marchetti Campaign Sets Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
Bouvier, Malumphy Return Papers For State House Bids
Mark Miller Wins UAW Endorsement
Bullett Announces Candidacy for North Adams Council
3rd District Democrats Support Verizon Strikers
Miller Submits Papers for State House Seat
Beaver Mill Group Hosts Candidates Talk
Malumphy Sets Campaign Agenda
1st District Candidates Discuss Jobs, Experience
Recent Entries:
Independent Falchuk Hits Threshold To Start New Party
Baker Wins Governor's Race
AG Candidate Healey Hears Concerns on Hospital
Candidate Kerrigan Stops in Pittsfield For Get Out The Vote Push
Suzanne Bump Seeking Re-election as Auditor
U.S. Senate Candidate Brian Herr Fighting for Name Recognition
Area Democrats Making Final Push For November Election
Coakley Stresses Commitment to Berkshires
Candidates Showing Differences As Governor's Race Heats Up
Gubernatorial Candidates Spar In Springfield Debate