Our 2026 Candidate Endorsements

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About Our Endorsement Process

Our endorsement process contains a few steps.

(1) Questionnaire: Every cycle, Progressive Mass’s Elections and Endorsements Committee (EEC) puts together comprehensive policy questionnaires for federal and state candidates, which we publish on our website. Only candidates who fill out these questionnaires are eligible for endorsement. Find all questionnaires collected this cycle here.

(2) Interviews: For Congressional races, the EEC conducts public interviews of all candidates who submit questionnaires. For legislative races, the EEC conducts research about the various races on the ballot and interviews candidates who submit questionnaires and meet certain criteria (progressive values, viability, etc.).

(3) Recommendations: The EEC then deliberates on whom and whether to recommend for endorsement to the full membership.

(4) Member Vote: The ultimate decision lies with our members. Candidates must receive at least 60% of the vote in a member ballot to receive an endorsement.

~~US Senate~~

Ed Markey for US Senate

Here’s a sampling of what our members turn us why they overwhelmingly supported re-electing Senator Ed Markey:

“Markey has been on the side of regular people (not billionaires) his entire career. I have complete faith in him.”

“Ed has proven he is a strong environmentalist, labor supporter and fighter for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights and all around progressive champion.”

“Senator Markey continues to be such an important policy leader, looking out for us, our communities, and our climate. From the ICE Out of Our Faces Act because he recognizes the threat of becoming a surveillance state, to the FATCAT Act, which would add a fuel tax for people with private jets to reinvest in public transit, and many other bills, he leads the way. He consistently shows that he’s focused on making life better for all of us, not focused on his own ambition.”

“Senator Markey is a proven supporter of Progressive causes. Markey has proven time and time again that he is willing to listen and engage with Progressive groups, the working classes, and society as a whole. I trust Senator Markey to continue standing up against authoritarianism while maintaining connections with the various communities of the commonwealth.”  

~~Congress~~

Jeromie Whalen for MA-01

As a public school educator, Jeromie Whalen understands the importance of investing in our future, of building a culture of civic engagement, and of creating a community and a country where all are welcome. He is running to rein in corporate power over our economy and our elections, make sure the wealthy are paying their fair share, and ensure that everyone has access to high-quality health care and higher education without cost. He is running against 37-year incumbent Richard Neal, who is one of Congress’s biggest recipients of corporate PAC money.

Jeromie has also been endorsed by our chapter Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution.

Learn more about Jeromie at https://www.whalenforcongressma.com/.

Tram Nguyen for MA-06

Tram Nguyen has a proven track record of fighting for working families and brings the lived experience of both an immigrant and a union member. As an attorney for Greater Boston Legal Services, she advocated for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, veterans, immigrants, low-wage workers, and people with disabilities. Since defeating a conservative Republican incumbent in the State House in 2018, she has been a reliable champion of legislation to protect workers, from expanding unemployment benefits during the pandemic to increasing the minimum wage to protecting injured workers from retaliation. At a time when immigrants’ rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, workers’ rights, and climate action are under attack every day from the Trump administration, Tram can be counted on to fight back.

Learn more about Tram at https://www.tramforcongress.com/.

Patrick Roath for MA-08

Patrick Roath is a democracy and voting rights advocate, having served as the former board chair of Common Cause Massachusetts. In that role, he was active in the rights for automatic voter registration, universal vote-by-mail, and same day registration. He is running on an omnibus Working Families Affordability Package, including tackling the costs of health care, housing, and child care, and Trump-proofing our government in order to rein in corruption and the abuse of power.

He is running against 22-year incumbent Stephen Lynch, one of the few Democrats left in the US Congress to have voted against the Affordable Care Act. Lynch is the only member of the Massachusetts delegation to have voted for the Laken Riley Act and has repeatedly voted with Republicans this Congressional session to roll back protections for our immigrant communities.

Patrick has also been endorsed by our chapters JP Progressives, Neponset Valley Progressives, True North Action Alliance, and Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale.

Learn more about Patrick at https://patrickroath.com/.

~~MA Senate~~

Persis Yu for Norfolk and Suffolk State Senate

The District: Boston: Jamaica Plain / Roslindale / West Roxbury / Hyde Park (Ward 18 Pcts 9,-12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23; Ward 19 Pcts 2, 3, 5, 8-11, 13; Ward 20), Dedham, Norwood, Walpole, Westwood

A working mom and active BPS parent,  trained as a lawyer and social worker, Persis Yu is an experienced consumer rights attorney and champion for families and workers. During her nearly two decades as a consumer rights attorney and advocate, she has secured billions of dollars in student debt relief, filed class action lawsuits that directly cancelled hundreds of thousands of dollars in predatory employer debt, and led campaigns that resulted in worker protection laws in more than a dozen states. She combines expert knowledge, a proven track record, and strong progressive values. Learn more about Persis at https://www.electpersis.com/.

Persis Yu has also been endorsed by our chapters JP Progressives and Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale.

Latoya Gayle for First Suffolk State Senate

The District: Boston: Downtown / Chinatown (Ward 3 Pcts 8, 14; Ward 5 Pct 1); Back Bay / South End / Bay Village (Ward 3 Pcts 7, 15, 16; Ward 4 Pcts 1 – 5; Ward 5 Pcts 13 & 14; Ward 8 Pcts 1 & 2; Ward 9 Pcts 1 & 2); South Boston (Wards 6 & 7); Dorchester (Ward 8 Pct 6; Ward 13 Pcts 3, 5-10; Wards 15-17)

Latoya Gayle has an impressive background in activism and advocacy, a clear commitment to social justice and progressive values, and a rootedness in her community. She is currently the Senior Director of Advocacy and Family Partnerships at Neighborhood Villages, where she advocates for early education and child care investments and empowers parents to do the same. She is a former chair of the BPS City-Wide Parent Council and organized March Like a Mother—a 1,000-person rally and vigil after the murder of George Floyd. She is an organizer who understands the urgency of addressing the housing crisis, the climate crisis, and the growing inequality in the state.  Learn more about Latoya at https://www.latoyaforsenate.com/.

Carey McDonald for Fifth Middlesex

The District: Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester (Pcts 1 – 3, 8)

Carey McDonald is a Malden City Councilor who led the process to create Malden’s climate action plan, passed policies to protect renters and invest in affordable housing, and championed policies to protect Malden’s immigrant communities. Carey also brings a background as a nonprofit leader who has built voter outreach programs and an education funding expert. They are running to fight for bold solutions to address our housing crisis and climate crisis, to invest more in our public schools, and to make state government more transparent and accountable. Learn more about Carey at https://www.careymcdonald.com/.

Carey has also been endorsed by our chapter Mystic Valley Progressives.

Daniel Lander for Suffolk and Middlesex

The District: Belmont; Fenway (Boston Ward 4 Pcts 10, 12; Ward 5 Pcts 2, 10, 12, 15); Allston-Brighton (Boston Ward 21, Ward 22); West Cambridge (Ward 8 Pct 2, Ward 9); Watertown

Daniel Lander has worked for progressive campaigns up and down the ballot and most recently worked at Boston City Hall on issues like using city-owned land for affordable housing, expanding access to Boston’s cultural sites, and helping small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. He understands that Massachusetts can and must do more to make Massachusetts an affordable place for people to live at any stage of life, increase access and reliability of public transit, and tackle the climate crisis and that we have resources to turn big and policy ideas into action. Learn more about Daniel at https://www.daniellander.com/.

Daniel has also been endorsed by our chapter Allston-Brighton Progressives.

Shannon Teabo for Worcester and Hampshire

The District: Barre, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Gardner, Hardwick, Holden, Hubbardston, Leicester, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Paxton, Phillipston, Princeton, Rutland, Spencer, Sterling, Templeton, Ware, West Brookfield, Westminster, Worcester (W7 Pcts 2, 4-6; W9 P3&4)

Shannon Teabo is an activist, organizer, and mom running to fight for affordable childcare, funding for education, and equitable access to quality healthcare. She is running against Republican incumbent Peter Durant, who has an 8% on our Legislative Scorecard and a racist, xenophobic, and anti-worker record as a state senator and previously as a state rep.  Learn more about Shannon at https://www.teaboforsenate.com/.

Mike Zullas for Norfolk, Plymouth & Bristol

The District: Braintree (Pcts 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B1, 4A, 5A, 5B, 6B), Bridgewater, Easton, Milton, Randolph (Pcts 4-6, 9-12), Stoughton, West Bridgewater

Mike Zullas is a former Member and former Chair of the Milton Select Board. On the Select Board, he led the creation of the town’s Climate Action Planning Committee and Advisory Committee on Equity and Justice for All and led the effort for Milton to opt in to the Community Preservation Act. He was among the Select Board members who voted to support compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. He is running to be a champion of more transparent government and more robust supports to address the fiscal crises hitting our cities and towns. Learn more about Mike at https://www.votezullas.com/.

~~MA House~~

Jack Richardson for 3rd Barnstable State Rep

The District: Bourne (Pcts 4-6), Falmouth (Pcts 3-5, 7-9), Mashpee

Jack Richardson became the youngest person ever elected to the Falmouth Select Board, and he immediately got to work. He led the effort to ban ICE from town property without a judicial warrant and secured funding for a Portuguese-speaking social worker. He has championed measures to make Falmouth more affordable, vibrant, and more climate-resilient at the local level and is ready to fight for housing affordability and climate action at the State House. Learn more about Jack at https://www.jackprichardson.com/.

Jack Richardson has also been endorsed by our chapter Indivisible Upper Cape.

Zosia VanMeter for 9th Essex

The District: Lynn (Ward 1 Pcts 1& 2), Saugus (Pcts 1, 2 4-9), Wakefield (Pcts 1-3, 7)

Zosia VanMeter is a public servant, immigrant, and community leader. She has founded and worked with local nonprofits devoted to combating food insecurity and empowering women and girls. She is running to fight to increase the supply of affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and fight legislative inertia. She is running against a 16-year Republican incumbent with a 5% on our Scorecard. Learn more about Zosia at https://www.electzvm.com/.

Celina Reyes for 16th Essex State Rep

The District: Lawrence (Ward A Pcts 2A, 3, 4; Ward E Pcts 1A, 2, 3, 4; Ward F), Methuen (Pcts 3, 7, 13A)

Celina Reyes is a Lawrence City Councilor, a family child care provider, and a leader of her local in SEIU 509. Through her work with SEIU 509, she has championed greater investments in child care and rent stabilization, and organized to help pass the Fair Share Amendment. She is running against a Democratic incumbent who joined Republicans in voting to weaken the protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care in the Shield 2.0 law, owns so many properties that he can’t remember how many, and has opposed efforts like a local option real estate transfer fee to address the housing crisis. Learn more about Celina at http://www.celinareyes.com.

Lora Wondolowski for 1st Franklin State Rep

The District: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Greenfield (Pcts 5 – 8), Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, Rowe, Shelburne, Sunderland, Whately

Lora Wondolowski is the Greenfield City Council President, a role in which she has been able to shepherd a number of progressive policy initiatives. She got into local politics to fight cuts to Greenfield public schools, and she has been a reliable champion of public education. She was the founding executive director of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, where she helped pass the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, and currently works for the Peace Development Fund, investing in grassroots organizing efforts. She would bring a much-needed mix of progressive values, policymaking knowledge, and organizing experience to the State House. Learn more about Lora at https://wondoforrep.org/.

Lora has also been endorsed by our chapter Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution.

Tom Hendrickson for 3rd Hampden State Rep

The District: Agawam (Pcts 2–8), Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland

Tom Hendrickson is an Agawam City Councilor, who has led local initiatives on Community Choice Aggregation and Council transparency, and has worked to elect progressives across Western Mass. He is running to be a champion for public schools, workers’ rights, taking on corporate power, and single payer health care. He is running against a 16-year conservative Republican incumbent who has never broken 28% on our Scorecard. Learn more about Tom at https://www.tomhendrickson.org/.

Michael Lachenmeyer for 12th Hampden State Rep


The District: East Longmeadow (Pcts 1, 2A, 3A, 4A), Monson (Pct A), Springfield (Ward 5 Pcts D, G; Ward 7 Pcts B, C, D, E, F, G, H1; Ward 8 Pcts B1, G), Wilbraham

Michael Lachenmeyer is a teacher, journalist, and organizer who is running to champion policies like reducing wealth inequality, single payer health care,

Alison Leary for 10th Middlesex

The District: Newton (Ward 1 Pcts 1, 2A, 4; Ward 3 Pcts 1A, 4), Waltham (Ward 1 Pct 2A; Ward 3 Pct 2A; Ward 4 Pcts 1A, 2; Ward 5 Pcts 1, 2A; Ward 6 Pct 2; Ward 8 Pct 2; Ward 9), Watertown (Pcts 9–12)

Alison Leary is a Newton City Councilor who has been a strong advocate for transit-oriented development, climate-ready infrastructure, and plastics reduction. She has been active as a member and leader of various environmental organizations and worked for a nonprofit providing transitional housing. She is running to continue the fight for action on climate and the housing crisis, to champion single payer health care, and to make the State House more transparent. Learn more about Alison at https://www.alisonleary.com/.

Ravi Simon for 13th Middlesex State Rep

The District: Concord (Pcts 3 & 4), Lincoln (Pct 1), Marlborough (W1 Pcts 1 & 2, W2 Pct 2A, W7 Pct 2A, Sudbury, Wayland (Pcts 1, 4)

Ravi Simon brings policy experience, organizing skills, and strong progressive values. As the legislative aide to Rep. Carmine Gentile, he worked on PM priorities like debt-free higher education, a local option real estate transfer fee, and same day registration. He has served as a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee, and he was an organizer with the State House Employee Union, fighting for better workplace conditions for himself and fellow legislative staff. Learn more about Ravi at https://www.ravisimon.com/.

Lorena Betts for 16th Middlesex State Rep

The District: Chelmsford (Pcts 1, 2, 3A, 5B, 6), Lowell (Ward 1 Pcts 1, 2, 3, 4; Ward 2; Ward 4 Pct 4)

Lorena Betts is first and foremost an organizer. She is the founder of The Peacemakers Network, a grassroots movement of peacemakers in Massachusetts focused on building bridges through education, community building and policy advocacy, and has organized the local No Kings rallies in her community. She has State House experience as a legislative aide, and that experience has led her to understand how badly the State House is broken and the need for organizers inside working with those outside to make real change possible. Learn more about Lorena at https://lorenabetts.com/.

Lorena Betts has also been endorsed by our chapter Solidarity Lowell.

Harini Aiyer for 17th Middlesex

The District: Lowell (Ward 3; Ward 4 Pcts 1, 2, 3A; Ward 5 Pcts 1, 2, 3, 4; Ward 6, Pcts 3, 4A; Ward 7 Pct 3A; Ward 8 Pct 4A), Tewksbury Pct 1

Harini Aiyer is an immigrant scientist and community activist running to address the housing crisis and the climate crisis, to invest more in our public schools, and to fight for a more transparent and accountable state legislature. She is the only candidate in the race who supported the rent control ballot question and the only candidate in the race to support a moratorium on pipeline expansion and prison construction. Learn more about Harini at https://www.voteforharini.com/.

Harini has also been endorsed by our chapter Solidarity Lowell.

Evan MacKay for 25th Middlesex

The District: Cambridge (Central Square, Riverside, Central Square, Mid-Cambridge, Porter Square, Agassiz-Baldwin, Harvard Square, West Cambridge, North Cambridge: Ward 3 Pct 3A; Ward 4 Pcts 2, 2A, 3; Ward 6 Pcts 2, 3; Ward 7; Ward 8; Ward 10 Pcts 1A, 2)

Evan MacKay is a climate and democracy activist, union organizer, and former president of the Harvard Grad Student Union. Evan understands that the best state representatives are good organizers, people who are proactive and responsive and who build welcoming and effective coalitions. Evan is ready to do that work and to fight for tax justice, strong democracy, bold solutions to our housing crisis and the climate crisis, and the rights of everyone at a moment when they are under daily attack. Learn more about Evan at https://www.evanforcambridge.com/.

Mike Connolly for 26th Middlesex State Rep

The District: Cambridge (East Cambridge, Central Square, The Port, Cambridgeport: Ward 1 Pct 3; Ward 2 Pcts 1, 2, 3A; Ward 3 Pcts 1, 2, 3; Ward 4 Pct 1; Ward 5 Pcts 1, 3; Ward 6 Pcts 1, 1A); Somerville (East Somerville; Ward 1 Pcts 1-4; Ward 2 Pct 1A)

Mike Connolly has been a strong progressive ally since we first endorsed him in 2016. On our Progressive Scorecard of the State Legislature, his scores have ranged from 95% to 100%. Mike has fought for stronger tenant protections, social housing, and revenue for affordable housing, as well as workers’ rights, bold climate action, voting rights, transparency, and more. Mike is willing to speak out against bad, rushed legislation, and to push the State House to be more ambitious in all of its policymaking. Learn more about Mike at https://www.mikeconnolly.org/.

Ben Ewen-Campen for 27th Middlesex State Rep


The District: Somerville (Ward 1 Pct 4A; Ward 2 Pcts 1, 2, 3, 4; Ward 3 (all); Ward 4 Pct 2A; Ward 5 (all), Ward 6 Pcts 1, 2, 3, 4)

Ben Ewen-Campen has been a reliable progressive ally and a leader on key issues on the Somerville City Council. As an advocate for affordable housing, he helped found the statewide coalition fighting for a local option real estate transfer fee. He led the passage of Somerville’s Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) District, and he spearheaded the work on Somerville’s rent control home rule petition. He led the passage of ordinances to ban tear gas and heavily restrict the use of other “non-lethal” crowd control techniques, require Council approval of surveillance technologies, and make Somerville the second city in the US to prohibit the usage of facial recognition technology by the local government. Learn more about Ben at https://www.benforstaterepma.com/.

Leila Migliorelli for 32nd Middlesex

The District: Malden (Ward 5 Pcts 2 & 3A), Melrose, Wakefield (Pcts 4 – 6)

Leila Migliorelli is a Melrose City Councilor who has led on such issues creating the first-ever Melrose Affordable Housing Trust, advocating for critical infrastructure projects, and supporting public schools. She is running to advocate for strengthening public schools’ funding, protecting immigrant rights, expanding access to reproductive health care, and and building more sustainable communities. Learn more about Leila at https://leilaforrep.com/.

Leila has also been endorsed by our chapter Mystic Valley Progressives.

Lisa Lopez for 6th Norfolk


The District: Avon, Canton, Stoughton (Pcts 1, 2A, 4A, 5, 7, and 8)

Lisa Lopez is a former Select Board Member in Canton, the third woman in history to ever be elected to the role. She championed the town’s municipal energy aggregation program (Canton Electrical Choice) and Affordable Housing Trust and played a key role in the town’s response to COVID. She was the initial chair of the Community Preservation Committee in Canton, and she is the current chair of the Canton Housing Authority and the local Affordable Housing Trust. She is running to be an advocate for housing affordability, environmental protection, and health care access. Learn more about Lisa at https://www.lopezforrep.com/.

Tom Melville for 9th Norfolk

The District: Medfield (Pcts 3 & 4), Millis (Pct 1), Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole (Pct 5), Wrentham

Tom Melville is a former journalist, having served as Executive News Director at WBUR and News Director at NECN, and someone who as a result values open communication, transparency, and listening. He was inspired to run after seeing the bigoted and divisive way that the incumbent, Republican Marcus Vaughn, responded to the opening of a shelter for migrant families. He is running to be a strong advocate for education funding, civil rights, climate action, health care access, and government transparency.  Learn more about Tom at https://www.electmelville.com/.

Tom is also endorsed by Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County.

Lee Meyer for 19th Suffolk

The District: Revere (Ward 1 Pcts 1, 2; Ward 2 Pcts 1, 2, 3A; Ward 5), Winthrop

Lee Meyer is a paramedic who sees the impacts of inequality, the housing crisis, and the gaps in our health care system every day. He is running to reduce health care costs, expand access to reproductive health care, invest in affordable housing, and take on utility profiteering. He is running against the second-most conservative Democrat in the MA House, who has voted repeatedly against expanding abortion access and against common-sense guns safety measures and has a record of hard-line NIMBYism. Learn more about Lee at https://www.lee4themasses.com/.

Jen Heck for 18th Worcester

The District: Douglas, Oxford (Pcts 1 & 4), Sutton, Uxbridge (Pct 1), Webster

Jen Heck is a documentary filmmaker who led the successful campaign to bring Sutton into MBTA Communities Act compliance, turning early opposition into near-unanimous support. She is running to be a champion for tackling the housing affordability crisis, investing more in our public schools, and establishing clear ethical guardrails around the use of AI. She is running against Republican Joe McKenna, who has a 0% on our Legislative Scorecard. Learn more about Jen at https://www.heckyeah2026.org/.

Governor’s Council

The Governor’s Council is the most important office that you may have never heard of. The Massachusetts Governor’s Council consists of eight individuals elected from districts each consisting of five state senate districts. The Council is responsible for confirming judges and members of the Parole Board, among other nominees, and of approving pardons and commutations. If you care about the present and future of courts in Massachusetts, then you should care about the Governor’s Council.

We are proud to endorse four incumbents facing contested elections.

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Tamisha Civil for District 2

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  • Learn about Tamisha at https://tamishacivil.com/.
  • Communities in District 2: Ashland, Attleboro, Avon, Bellingham, Braintree (Pcts 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5A, 5B, 6B), Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Dover, East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Halifax, Hanson, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Milton, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Randolph, Sharon, Sherborn, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, Whitman, Wrentham
  • State Senators’ Districts within D2: Mike Brady, Bill Driscoll, Paul Feeney, Karen Spilka, Becca Rausch

Mara Dolan for District 3

  • Learn more about Mara at https://maradolan.com/.
  • Boston neighborhoods in District 3: Boston — Fenway (W4P10, 12; W5P2, 10, 12, 15; W21P1); Boston – Allston/Brighton (W21P2-16, W22)
  • Other cities and towns in District 3: Acton, Arlington, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Boxborough, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge – West Cambridge (W8P2; W9); Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Harvard, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Newton, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Woburn
  • State Senators’ Districts within D3: Mike Barrett, Will Brownsberger, Cindy Creem, Jamie Eldridge, Cindy Friedman

Paul DePalo for District 7

  • Learn more about Paul at https://www.pauldepalo.com/.
  • Communities in District 7:
    • Hampden County: Brimfield, Holland, Monson, and Wales
    • Hampshire County: Ware
    • Middlesex County: Ashby, Groton, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford
    • Worcester County (excluding Ashburnham, Athol, Harvard, Milford, Petersham, Royalston, Southborough, Warren, and Winchendon)
  • State Senators’ Districts within D4: John Cronin, Peter Durant, Ryan Fattman, Robyn Kennedy, Michael Moore

Tara Jacobs for District 8

  • Learn more about Tara at https://tarajacobs.com/.
  • Communities in District 8:
    • Berkshire County (all)
    • Franklin County (all)
    • Hampden County (all but Brimfield, Holland, Monson, and Wales)
    • Hampshire County (all except Ware)
    • Worcester County (Ashburnham, Athol, Petersham, Royalston, Waren, and Winchendon)
  • State Senators’ Districts within D8: Jo Comerford, Adam Gomez, Paul Mark, Jake Oliveira, John Velis