Two Candidates in Race for South End’s City Council District
As of Monday, May 13, which was the last day to pull nomination papers, two candidates were in the race for the South End’s District 2 city council race. Those candidates are South Boston’s Bill Linehan and Chinatown’s Suzanne Lee. If those names sound like deja vu, that’s because they are. The 2013 race is an exact copy of the 2011 race, which Linehan won over Lee by less than 100 votes. “I am confident that my first six years in office will stand up in comparison to anyone who has held office both as a State or City elected official from the neighborhoods of South Boston, South End, Chinatown, Bay Village, Downtown and look forward to continuing my efforts and improve on my ability to deliver for the people of District 2,” said Linehan in a statement. “As I’ve continued to talk to residents throughout the district, I still hear concerns about jobs and liveable wages, about ensuring that every child has a quality education and about making Boston a place where families can find affordable housing options,” Lee said. “As City Councilor, I will build on my years of service to our communities and work hard to deliver the results that our families deserve.” The two candidates have until May 21 to file their nomination papers at the Boston Election Department. Each needed 200 certified signatures to be elligible to run for office. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
2 Dozen Candidates Elbow for Room in Mayor’s Race
Five weeks ago, there was one declared candidate for mayor. John Connolly had his run of the city while current Mayor Tom Menino weighed his future. Now, fully two dozen men and women have pulled nomination papers for the mayor’s race. A map of the current list of candidates finds some familiar patterns: Most candidates live toward south and center of the city, matching the city’s overall population density. But that means candidates who live a mere blocks apart will tussle over the same turf and base of voter support. There are 11 candidates from Dorchester, four from Hyde Park, three from Roxbury, two from Roxbury and one each from East Boston, Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill. The top two vote-getters in the primary will move on to the final. The Boston Herald’s Peter Gelzinis called this a “shootout in a lifeboat” for some off the major candidates, who need a reliable base of support as they reach out for voters in other parts of town. If the 11 Dorchester candidates break up the neighborhood’s massive voting bloc, that means the top-two candidates need fewer votes to make the finals. That’s a boost for small-neighborhood candidates like JP’s Felix Arroyo and Mission Hill’s Mike Ross. There may be more candidates; they have until May 13 to pull papers. After that, the hopefuls have until May 21 to collect signatures and file them with the city. That process will likely winnow the field down by a few names. South End Patch
Obama: ‘Even When Our Heart Aches… We Finish the Race.’
Mentioning scripture, sports teams, marathon icons, and harkening back to his days of living in the Boston area, President Barack Obama spoke during an interfaith service in the South End on Thursday. “Like you, Michelle and I have walked these streets. Like you, we know these neighborhoods. And like you, in this moment of grief, we join you in saying — ‘Boston, you’re my home.’ For millions of us, what happened on Monday is personal. It’s personal,” said Obama, from the Cathredal of the Holy Cross. President Obama was the last speaker in an emotionally-charged service that also included speeches, and a moving performance by the Boston Children’s Chorus. Click here for the full text of President Obama’s speech. Of the three victims, the president spoke of the liveliness of Medford native Krystle Campbell; Chinese national Lu Lingzi’s coming to BU as a grad student; and 8-year-old Martin Richard of Dorchester. President Obama mentioned a picture being widely circulated of Richard, holding a handwritten sign that read: “No more hurting people. Peace.” Obama repeated the phrase with emphasis. “Our prayers are with the injured — so many wounded, some gravely. From their beds, some are surely watching us gather here today,” said Obama. “And if you are, know this: As you begin this long journey of recovery, your city is with you. Your commonwealth is with you. Your country is with you. We will all be with you as you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of that I have no doubt. You will run again. You will run again.” Obama promised that whoever committed the heinous acts at the Boston Marathon would be found and brought to justice. But President Obama focused on the resiliency of Boston, and spoke with great pride in how Bostonians came together during the tragic events. “When doctors and nurses, police and firefighters and EMTs and Guardsmen run towards explosions to treat the wounded — that’s discipline,” said Obama. “When exhausted runners, including our troops and veterans — who never expected to see such carnage on the streets back home — become first responders themselves, tending to the injured — that’s real power.” Obama quoted one of the greatest Boston Marathon icons — Dick Hoyt, who has pushed his disabled son, Rick, in 31 Boston Marathons. “We can’t let something like this stop us.” And President Obama also placed a bet: “And this time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever, and to cheer even louder, for the 118th Boston Marathon. Bet on it.” South End Patch
State of the Race: More Hats in Mayoral Ring
In a mayoral race, sometimes an early favorite can dissuade other would-be contenders from starting a campaign. The 2013 Boston mayoral election is not one of those races. Instead, the race has drawn several more contenders this week, and more still are mulling a run. The crowded field has led to what the Boston Herald’s Peter Gelzinis called “a shootout in a lifeboat,” with each candidate working feverishly to solidify his support in his own backyard. The swollen field will be reduced to two after the primary, and every new candidate lowers the total vote threshold needed to make the finals. This past week, city councilors Mike Ross and Felix Arroyo joined the race, along with long-time Dorchester community activist Bill Walczak. That’s three more guys into an already all-male field. What of the female candidates? Ayanna Pressley is now considering a run, as is YouthBild USA’s Charlotte Golar Richie. Maura Hennigan, who ran for mayor in 2005, decided this week to bow out of the race. Public Safety Secretary Andrea Cabral and State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz previously announced they would not run. Below is the list of candidates would-be candidates, undecided and notable “No’s” as of Sunday, April 13. Did we miss anyone? Is there anyone left to miss? Tell us in the comments with a link to their latest statement or quote and we’ll add it to the chart! Who’s in (meaning they have announced they will run) John Connolly, city councilor Dan Conley, Suffolk County district attorney Marty Walsh, state representative William Dorcena, community activist Charles Clemmons, TOUCH 106.1 FM co-founder Rob Consalvo, city councilor Felix Arroyo, city councilor Mike Ross, city councilor Bill Walczak, Codman Square Health Center co-founder Who’s seriously considering a run Ayanna Pressley, city councilor Charles Yancey, city councilor John Barrios, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative executive director Charlotte Golar Richie, YouthBuild USA vice president for public policy Who’s undecided Stephen Murphy, city council president Jeffrey Sanchez, state representative Who’s out (meaning they have publicly said they will not run for mayor) Tito Jackson, city councilor Sonia Chang-Diaz, state senator Matt O’Malley, city councilor Bill Linehan, city councilor Russell Holmes, state representative Paul Grogan, Boston Foundation president Andrea Cabral, Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary James Rooney, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority executive director Maura Hennigan, Suffolk County criminal court clerk South End Patch
Gloves Are Off in U.S. Senate Race
It was a very busy week in the race for U.S. Senate. Things started to get heated as the candidates continue to race toward the April 30 primaries. We saw candidates lashing out at party backing, another facing an ethics complaint, new poll numbers, and more. Let’s start with the Democrats this week. Democratic candidates Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) and Edward Markey (D-Malden) will face off in a second debate Monday night in Lowell. If the news of the past week is any indication, it should make for an interesting back and forth between the candidates. Lynch took aim at his party leaders last week for supporting Markey. Lynch told the Boston Herald that the Democratic leaders haven’t been fair and told them that he thinks they’ve done their best to discourage people from sending him contributions. “They’ve basically said Markey’s our guy, don’t give to Lynch,” he told the Herald. Markey Faces Ethics Complaint Markey will face an ethics complaint from the Bay State Republican Party that alleges coordination between the U.S. Senate candidate’s campaign and congressional office and improper use of footage from Congress in TV ads, according to a report in the Boston Herald on Tuesday. MassGOP Executive Director Nate Little told the Herald they believe Markey has been using taxpayer-funded resources from his congressional office for campaign purposes. The state GOP plans on filing a letter with the House Committee on Ethics on Tuesday, according to the Herald. Latest Poll Shows Markey Ahead Markey gained a sizeable lead over Lynch in a new poll by Public Policy Polling this week. Yahoo News reported that the poll, conducted March 26-27, included 496 likely Democratic voters, giving Markey a 17-point lead over Lynch (49 to 32 percent). A February poll just after both declared their candidacy had Markey ahead of Lynch by 15 points (43 to 28 percent). Like their potential Democratic opponents, Republicans in the race were also busy last week. Sullivan Names New Campaign Strategist Republican Senate candidate Michael Sullivan named Matt St. Hilaire of Beverly as senior campaign strategist. He’s also served in senior positions for the gubernatorial campaigns of Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and Charlie Baker, as well as Richard Tisei’s Congressional campaign in the 6th District. What the Republican Candidates Earned Republican candidate Gabriel Gomez recently reported his $ 727,000 salary from his private equity business. The information was included in Gomez’s financial disclosure form, according to an AP story on Masslive.com. The article also stated that Sullivan reported earning more than $ 3.2 million between 2002 and 2001, as well as paying $ […]
Polls Give Markey Double Digit Lead in Senate Race
Two polls last week show double digit leads for U.S. Rep. Edward Markey over his Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch in the race for U.S. Senate. Results of a UMass Lowell/Boston Herald poll last week showed Markey (D-Malden) leads Lynch (D-South Boston) by 29.5 percentage points among potential Democratic primary voters. The poll also shows Markey is leading over all three Republican candidates. Fifty percent of those polled said they would vote for Markey, while 20.5 percent said Lynch, giving Markey a 29.5 percent lead. Twenty-three percent said they were unsure about how they plan to vote. Markey and Lynch face off in the April 30 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by John Kerry’s appointment to Secretary of State. On the Republican side, Markey also led, according to the poll, coming in 19 points over former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez, 17.2 percent over former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and 23.2 percent over State Rep. Dan Winslow. The poll also showed Lynch leading over all three Republican candidates: 18 percent over Gomez, 17 percent over Sullivan and 24.5 percentage points over Winslow. A second poll last week, this one by the League of Conservation Voters, which is supporting Markey in the special election, also shows him with a double digit lead. The poll shows Markey at 42 percent, with Lynch at 28 percent. AFL-CIO not endorsing in the primary Both Lynch and Markey continue to bring in endorsements and seem to be splitting union support, however, neither candidate will get the backing of the state’s largest labor organization. The AFL-CIO has decided not to endorse in the Democratic primary. The Boston Herald reported this week that Steven Tolman, Massachusetts AFL-CIO president, said the union will work to defeat whichever Republican candidate wins the GOP primary. GOP candidates kick off campaigns, national TV weighs in With just a month and a half until the primary, the candidates are wasting no time campaigning, building teams and putting their all in the sprint toward the April Primary. Republican Candidate Michael Sullivan officially kicked off his campaign Saturday in Abington. This week we also learned Sullivan hired Richard Tisei’s former campaign manager to manage his campaign for U.S. Senate. His camp also includes former State Rep. Karyn Polito as his “campaign chairman,” Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk) spent some time with Attleboro Patch when he came through town to meet and greet potential voters. Winslow also got himself some national attention when MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow pointed out a discrepancy when he blasted his party last weekend for holding a straw poll at the Danversport Yacht Club. Maddow […]
Unions May Be Key to U.S. Senate Race
It was another busy week in the race for U.S. Senate last week as we start counting down the weeks to the April 30 primary. As of Wednesday, two Democrats and three Republicans filed the required number of signatures to run in the special election for U.S. Senate. On the Democrat side we have U.S. Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch. So far for Republicans, it’s former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez of Cohasset and State Rep. Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk). All five submitted more than the required number of signatures to the Secretary of State’s office to appear on the April 30 Primary ballot. City and town clerks have until Monday to deliver all signatures. The five are all vying for the seat left vacant by John Kerry’s appointment to Secretary of State back in December 2012. Democrats Agree on Debate Schedule Markey (D-Malden) and Lynch (D-South Boston) agreed to participate in six debates between now and the April 30 primary. Three will be general format and three will focus on jobs, domestic issues and foreign policy. The debates will be spread out and are scheduled to be held in Lowell, New Bedford, Worcester and Springfield. The location of the sixth debate is yet to be determined. Endorsements Pouring in, Unions Could be Key to Democratic Race Both democratic candidates picked up some key endorsements last week. With two candidates who are both pro-labor, Lynch and Markey are expected to split the labor vote in the democratic primary, and true to that both picked up key labor endorsements, as well. Mass.live reported this week that although the unions don’t make up a large percentage of the voting population, they can be major contributors when it comes down to fundraising and manpower. Earlier in the week Lynch was endorsed by the The Massachusetts Nurses Association /National Nurses United (MNA/NNU), the largest union of registered nurses and health professionals in the Commonwealth. Lynch also received the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, Markey picked up the endorsement of the AFSCME Council 93. The organization represents more than 35,000 Massachusetts state, county and municipal workers. He was also endorsed this week by NARAL Pro-Choice America’s political action committee. On the Republican side, Gomez gained support from Central Massachusetts’ Republican State Committee members Brent Andersen and Mindy McKenzie-Hebert when he kicked off his campaign last week. According to mass.live, the two issued a joint statement in support of Gomez. On the Road Again Candidates continued to crisscross the state last week as their campaigns went into full swing. Markey made stops last week in Belmont, Newton, Brighton, Taunton and Hyannis. Lynch […]
Five Submit Required Signatures for U.S. Senate Race
Two Democrats and three Republicans submitted the required number of signatures to run in the special election for U.S. Senate, according to the Boston Globe. U.S. Reps. Edward Markey (D-Malden) and Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) each filed more than double the 10,000 certified signatures required. Markey led the way with nearly 34,000 signatures, while Lynch had just over 25,000. On the Republican side, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan filed nearly 19,000 signatures, followed by former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez of Cohasset at almost 17,000 and state Rep. Daniel Winslow of Norfolk at more than 13,000. Those totals only include those signatures submitted to the Secretary of State’s office by Wednesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. City and town clerks have until Monday to deliver all signatures. Both primaries are scheduled for April 30. The special election is set for June 25. FENWAY-KENMORE PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch