Khazei Announces Run for Brown's Senate Seat

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Alan Khazei
BOSTON — Alan Khazei will try again for a Senate seat by challenging U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in the 2012 election.

The Brookline resident sought the seat of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy in 2009 but lost in the Democratic primary to Attorney General Martha Coakley, who was later trounced by the Republican from Wrentham in a special election.

The founder of youth organization City Year announced his decision to run simultaneously on Facebook, Twitter and by email to supporters that he will be a candidate for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts in 2012. His video can be viewed at www.alankhazei.com.

"I'm the proud son and grandson of immigrants who came to America because they believed in this country and all it stands for: when we work hard and work together, no dream is impossible," says Khazei in the video. "It's the American Dream. And Vanessa and I want the same thing for our children, and for yours."


Khazei will kick off his campaign this week with stops around the state; his closest approach to the Berkshires will be Springfield on Thursday when he will meet with students at Western New England College and meet with voters at Mykonos European Restaurant.

Khazei is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy; also believed to weighing runs are U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano of Somerville, who also lost to Coakley in the primary, and Newton Mayor Setti Warren.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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