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MNA Endorses Lynch for U.S. Senate Seat |
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Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United On: 04:36PM / Tuesday February 26, 2013 |
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CANTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses and health professionals in the commonwealth, on Tuesday announced that it has endorsed U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch for U.S. Senate in the Massachusetts special election.
"Our endorsement of Congressman Lynch was based on his outstanding record of supporting a number of issues important to frontline nurses in Massachusetts, including his longstanding support for Federal and state legislation to require safe RN-to-patient staffing limits for nurses in acute care hospitals, safer working conditions for nurses, and access to quality health care for all in America," said MNA/NNU President Donna Kelly-Williams, a registered nurse.
"Nurses have also seen firsthand how the economy has affected our patients, friends and family through the loss of jobs, their homes and their retirement savings," Kelly-Williams added. "As a former iron worker and president of the Iron Workers Union, Lynch's record on issues important to labor and working families is beyond dispute, and includes his commitment to supporting a progressive agenda to create jobs with living wages, provide quality housing, education and a secure retirement for all."
MNA board member Kathy Metzger said she remembered Lynch's tireless efforts to support nurses at Brockton Hospital when they were on strike in 2001 for 104 days to win improvements in registered nurse staffing levels and an end to what the union said was the dangerous practice of mandatory overtime for nurses.
"Steve Lynch was with us every day of that strike, supporting us on the picket line and as an elected leader using his power and influence to stand up for nurses and patients. He has continued that support for the last decade, and in the Senate, he would continue that work, not only for nurse, but also for all workers who are struggling in this economy."
"I am incredibly grateful to have the backing of the Massachusetts Nurses Association," said Lynch, who respresents the 8th District. "I have walked with nurses on the picket line, and supported them in the halls of the State House and the Capitol Building. Their efforts not only improve working conditions at hospitals and other health care settings, but also improve patient safety and quality of care. I am honored to have their support in this campaign, and I will continue to fight on their behalf in the U.S. Senate."
Lynch has also expressed support for the MNA/NNU's call for a "Robin Hood Tax," a small tax on the risky Wall Street financial transactions that would raise billions of dollars each year to support initiatives to rebuild the middle class, while curtailing reckless trading practices.
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Lynch, Markey Agree to 6 Debates in Senate Primary |
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Staff Reports On: 04:07PM / Monday February 25, 2013 |
BOSTON – The Senate campaigns of U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey announced on Monday that they have reached agreement on a framework for six debates across the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The congressmen are running for the Democratic nomination in the special election to fill the Senate seat of Secretary of State John Kerry. The primary is April 30.
The agreement calls for three public, general issue debates in Boston, Worcester and Springfield, as well as debates on jobs and the economy, domestic policy and foreign policy. Debates will also be held in Lowell and New Bedford, with the sixth location to be determined. Debate hosts have not been finalized, but are expected to include local media consortiums.
The Berkshire News Network in Pittsfield has offered to host one of the debates to be broadcast across Berkshire County.
"I am glad that we have reached agreement on debates and look forward to getting started as soon as possible," said Lynch in a statement. "While I would be happy to debate more frequently, the reality is that we have nine weeks left in this election, and both Ed and I have to spend time in Washington trying to fix the budget mess. So I think this debate schedule makes sense given the tight timeframe of the election."
"This agreement ensures we will debate the issues that are most important to Massachusetts in regions throughout the commonwealth," said Markey, also in a statement. "Voters deserve to hear in-depth debates on the issues facing the state and the nation, and I look forward to scheduling these as soon as possible."
Both campaigns will be working out specific dates and details with various media outlets.
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Pittsfield, North Adams, Adams Announce Democratic Caucus Dates |
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On: 09:34AM / Thursday February 07, 2013 |
Feb. 8: Due to the impending storm, the Pittsfield caucuses (excluding Ward 5) has been rescheduled for March 2.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Democrats will hold caucuses in their respective wards to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party's 2013 Platform Convention to be held June 1 July 13 at the Tsongas Center at University of Massachusetts in Lowell. All registered Democrats in Pittsfield wards 1 through 6 are eligible.
The caucuses are scheduled on:
► Ward 1 – 2 p.m., Sat. March 2, Back Nine Bar and Grille, 303 Crane Ave.
► Ward 2 – 2 p.m., Sat. March 2, Kennedy IUE/CWE Union Hall, 789 Tyler St.
► Ward 3 – 2 p.m., Sat. March 2, DelGallo’s Restaurant, 390 Newell St.
► Ward 4 – 2 p.m., Sat. March 2, Miss Hall’s School, 492 Holmes Rd.
► Ward 5 – Noon, Sat. March 2, American Legion, 41 Wendell Ave.
► Ward 6 – 2 p.m., Sat. March 2, Polish Community Club, 55 Linden St.
Delegates to the 2013 Massachusetts Party Platform Convention will hear from future party leaders, debate and adopt a new party platform. The number of delegates for each ward will be divided equally between men and women. Those not elected as delegate and/or alternate, who meet the qualifications, may apply to be add-on delegates in the following categories: youth, minority and disabled.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the North Adams Democratic City Committee
will caucus on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party's 2013 Platform Convention.
All registered Democrats residing in those wards are invited and eligible to participate in the caucus, to be held at North Adams Housing Authority Community Room, 150 Ashland St.
State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams, will convene the caucus.
Ward 1 will caucus on March 2.
At the statewide convention, to be held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on Saturday, July 13, delegates will debate and adopt a platform for the next four years.
State Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh announced the postponement of the convention from June to July to follow election of the U.S. senator to replace John Kerry, now confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.
Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin has scheduled a primary for April 30, and special election of U.S. senator to be held on June 25.
Cariddi is also scheduled to address local Democrats on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. at a gathering at the Freight Yard Pub. Cariddi is interested to hear from North County constituents as to their legislative priorities; she will also update them as to current statewide initiatives in Boston.
ADAMS, Mass — The Adams Democratic Committee will hold its caucus on Saturday, March 2. The caucus will elect delegates to attend the Platform Convention on July 13.
The caucus will be at 9:30 a.m. at the Miller Annex of the Adams Free Library. It is open to all registered Democrats in Adams.
For more Information, call Ed Driscoll at 413-743-0639.
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Reception Planned for Senate Candidate Markey |
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On: 03:17PM / Monday February 04, 2013 |
 | | U.S. Rep. Edward Markey |
The public reception for to U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 5 to 7 at Itam Lodge in Pittsfield.
Update: The reception for Rep. Markey has been postponed because of Friday's snowstorm to a date to be announced later.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Brigades is sponsoring a reception for U.S. Rep. Edward Markey on Friday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 7 at Itam Lodge. The reception is free and open to the public.
Markey, 66, formally announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat that had been held by John Kerry, who was confirmed as secretary of state last week.
The Malden Democrat has served in Congress for 36 years, representing the 7th Massachusetts District, and was elected to the 5th District last year after redistricting.
U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch of South Boston, who served for 12 years representing the 9th District before being elected in the 8th District last year, has also announced for the Democratic nomination. So far, no Republican nominee has come forward. The last day to submit nomination papers is Feb. 27.
The primary is scheduled for April 30 and the special election for June 25.
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Patrick Appoints Interim Senator; Special Election Set for June 25 |
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Staff Reports On: 10:32AM / Wednesday January 30, 2013 |
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick appointed William "Mo" Cowan as interim U.S. Senator, filling the seat left vacant by U.S. Sen. John Kerry. Patrick also announced that the special election to fill Kerry's seat will be held on June 25.
Cowan is the former chief of staff and chief legal counsel to Patrick, having served in the Patrick-Murray Administration since 2009.
"I am proud and delighted to appoint Mo Cowan as interim U.S. Senator from Massachusetts," Patrick said. "Mo's service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government. The people of the Commonwealth have benefited from his wisdom and good judgment during his time in our office, and will again in the Senate."
"I am honored and humbled by this appointment today," said Cowan. "I pledge to you and the people of Massachusetts that during this interim period I will work as hard as humanly possible to perform my duties with the needs and aspirations of our state's citizens foremost in mind."
From 1997 to 2009, Cowan practiced civil litigation as an associate and later a partner in the Boston office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC and as a Special Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the Middlesex County District Attorney.
Cowan is a graduate of Duke University and Northeastern University School of Law, and lives in Stoughton with his wife, Stacy, and their two young sons.
Currently, U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey of the 5th Congressional District is the only announced candidate for the special election. However, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch is expected to announce his candidacy Thursday afternoon at Iron Workers Local 7 in South Boston. The Democratic primary is scheduled for April 30.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is expected to run, but has been quiet since being defeated by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
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U.S. Senate Election
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The state is holding a special election to fill the seat vacated by John F. Kerry, who has been confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.
The state primary is Tuesday, April 30. The last day to register to vote or to change party affiliation for the primary is Wednesday, April 10. Enrolled voters may only vote in their party primary; unenrolled voters may select a primary to vote in without changing their status.
The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25. The last day to register to vote in the election is Wednesday, June 5.
To register to vote, one must be at least age 18 by the date of the election, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the municipality in which you are voting.
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Election 2009 Stories
2010 Special Senate Election Results
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