Patch Interviews U.S. Senate Candidates
Patch editors interviewed each of the candidates running for U.S. Senate in the April 30 special election. We gathered questions from editors across Patch’s coverage area in Massachusetts. The editors asked both broad questions about policy, as well as opinions on more local, regional issues. Click on the links below to read the questions and answers with each candidate… Democrats Stephen Lynch Edward Markey Brett Rhyne (write-in candidate) Republicans Gabriel Gomez Michael Sullivan Daniel Winslow South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Candidates, Interviews, Patch, Senate, U.S.
Last Day to Register to Vote for U.S. Senate is Wednesday
If you were planning to vote for the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, you need to be registered to vote by Wednesday, April 10 for the upcoming April 30 election. The April 30 election will select which candidate for U.S. Senate will represent Massachusetts in Washington, DC after John Kerry was selected as Secretary of State late last year. Voters in the First Suffolk Senatorial District will also choose to fill the vacant seat formerly held by Jack Hart will be held on the same date. According to Boston’s Election Department, voters who have used absentee ballots in the past must fill out a new application each calendar year. If you’re not sure if you need to re-register, you can call the election department. The April 10th date, in addition to being the last day to register to vote, is also the last day you can change your address or party affiliation before the special election. The election department will stay open on Wendesday until 8 p.m. Information for voters: Applications may be obtained by calling the Election Department at 617-635-3767 or downloaded on the Election Department’s website: www.cityofboston.gov/elections. The Election Department is located in Room 241 of Boston City Hall, and will be open until 8 p.m. that evening to accommodate prospective registrants and those wishing to make changes. Those who wish to register or make changes by mail should make sure that their request is postmarked no later than April 10. Massachusetts Law does not allow these changes to be made via email. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates 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 $ […]
U.S. Senate Candidates Face Off in Debate Wednesday Night
Five candidates seeking the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by John Kerry will debate for the first time in one place Wednesday night in Needham. The two Democrats and three Republicans vying for the vacated position will face each other in two separate, 30-minute debates in an event sponsored by the Boston Media Consortium and held at the Channel 5 studios. The debate will air live from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be moderated by R.D. Sahl. Patch will be among the media organizations covering the event. The primary election is April 30. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden) will square off against U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston). In the latest UMass Lowell poll, Markey leads Lynch 50 percent to 29.5 percent, according to the Boston Globe. WBUR/Mass Inc. puts them significantly closer, with Markey up by just seven points. The three Republican contenders are state Rep. Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk), former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez. Needham resident Brett Rhyne, a write-in Democratic candidate, was not confirmed to participate, according to WCVB, nor was Independent Jack E. Robinson. The last day to register to vote, change a voting address or change party affiliation for the April 30 primary is Wednesday, April 10. Not sure where or how to register to vote or change party affiliation? Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Secretary of State Galvin’s office. South End Patch
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
Tisei Will Not Run in Special Election for U.S. Senate Seat
A day after saying he was considering running for the seat vacated by Sen. John Kerry, Republican Richard Tisei announced that he will not be in the race after all. On Saturday night, Tisei, a former state Senate minority leader, released a statement regarding his decision: I’ve been humbled by so many people who’ve urged me to run for this seat, following Senator Scott Brown’s decision not to run on Friday. I believe it’s imperative that the Republican party put forward a strong candidate who can help bring much-needed change to Washington. Unfortunately, the timing is simply not right for me to do so – deeply as I feel about the need to strongly compete in this election. It was also my desire to make this decision as quickly as possible so that other potential candidates would be able to consider whether they should run. We have many talented people from all walks of life who should get involved in the political system to bring about change. The political class ought not be a select few. That’s part of the reason that we’re in such a mess and that our political system has become dysfunctional. I urge principled, qualified men and women to stand up and be counted in the political arena. We have no right to complain if we’re not willing to be constructively involved as we try to build a better future. I’ve met thousands and thousands of people who do care and have been involved and I urge them to stay involved and to continue to make a difference – especially in these difficult times. I look forward to continuing my involvement and to supporting strong, principled, independent-minded candidates who may choose to run for this and other offices. All of us – Republicans, Independents, and Democrats – need to roll up our sleeves, pitch in, and bring about the reforms of our political system that are so desperately needed. Whether as a candidate or concerned citizen, I will continue to be involved with other men and women of integrity who share my desire for real reforms. South End Patch
Lynch Announces U.S. Senate Run on Facebook
While Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) isn’t expected to make a formal announcement until later this afternoon, a new Stephen Lynch for Senate Facebook page popped up this morning with a link to a “Stephen Lynch for US Senate Announcement” YouTube video that announces Lynch’s Senate candidacy. Earlier in the morning, the Stephen Lynch for Congress Facebook page had posted a message directing people to the newly created Senate page for news “on today’s plans and schedule.” Lynch is expected to make an announcement at 4 p.m. this afternoon at the Ironworkers Local 7 Hall in South Boston. Lynch would be the second Democrat running for the unexpired term left vacant by John Kerry’s confirmation to Secretary of State earlier this week. Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) announced his intentions to run back in late December. While there is still speculation that former Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) is showing interest in the seat, there is no official word if he will jump into the race. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Scott Brown Will Not Run for U.S. Senate
Scott Brown ended speculation Friday afternoon as to whether he would run for U.S. Senate, announcing that he is not entering the race for the seat left vacant by John Kerry’s confirmation to the post of Secretary of State. Two Democratic political opponents – Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) and Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) – will face off in the April 30 primary with the special election set for June 25. There are currently no Republican candidates in the race. Markey, who represents the 5th Congressional District, kicked off his campaign in December. Lynch launched his bid with a formal announcement Thursday afternoon. Lynch represents the 8th Congressional District. With Brown out of the running, what Republican would you like to see run for the seat? Leave your thoughts in the comment field below. South End Patch