Samantha Gross, “‘The incumbency advantage is real’: In Mass. primary, fraction of challengers succeed,” Boston Globe, September 5, 2024.
“The campaign “was not something that was just focused on getting a specific person elected, but about increasing the attention to the State House in the district,” said Jonathan Cohn, policy director of Progressive Massachusetts, which endorsed MacKay. “That doesn’t go away.””
The Massachusetts state primary is just 25 days away: Tuesday, September 3 (yes, that’s the day after Labor Day).
Although that may seem far off now, it’ll come here fast, and with a holiday weekend happening before, it’s good to make your plan to vote now.
Here is some key info to have on hand and share:
It can be hard to find out about the candidates on your ballot and what they stand for. Visit our Elections page to find questionnaires for Legislative, Governor’s Council, and County races across the Commonwealth as well as our 2024 Endorsements.
In solidarity,
The Massachusetts state primary is Tuesday September 3, the day after Labor Day. That’s 6 weeks away. And that will go by fast.
In April, our Elections and Endorsements Committee began sending our comprehensive policy questionnaire to candidates running in contested races for MA House and MA Senate. We view these questionnaires as a vital opportunity to educate candidates about issues that matter to progressive voters, get candidates on record, and create a more informed and engaged electorate. Read questionnaires we’ve received (for legislative, county, and Governor’s Council races) here.
The Committee reviewed them in May, interviewed candidates, and deliberated to make recommendations. And then we surveyed our members because, as an organization committed to democracy, all of our endorsements must ultimately be approved by our members.
Last month, we announced our first round of endorsements — read more about the candidates here.
And we are proud to share our second round of endorsements for the 2024 cycle. Read more about them below.
Tara Hong is a Cambodian immigrant and a community activist in Lowell, and he has been endorsed by our chapter Solidarity Lowell. He is the former Civic Engagement Coordinator at the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and has served on the board of the Lowell Litter Krewe and Mill City Grows, making sure Lowell is a more sustainable and equitable city. He is running on a strong progressive platform, rooted in transparency, affordable housing, and bold climate action. Learn more about Tara at https://www.tarahong.com/.
Zayda Ortiz is a community organizer in Malden who has been a leader within Indivisible and Progressive Mass. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, she has been a strong advocate for immigrants’ rights and for anti-racist education. She has complemented policy advocacy with committed work in mutual aid, organizing with Malden Neighbors Helping Neighbors during the peak of the COVID pandemic to ensure that people’s basic needs were met. She is ready to bring this combination of policy ambition and constituent focus to the State House. Learn more about Zayda at https://electzayda.com/.
What is the Governor’s Council and why you should care: 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.
Want to learn more about what the office does? The League of Women Voters has an event next Tuesday (7/30) on “Who Governs the Governor’s Council?”.
Mara Dolan is a public defender who has seen up close the injustices of the court system and the Parole Board. She is committed to ensuring that our judges uphold reproductive rights and that they better understand the science of brain development and addiction. Mara knows that the Governor’s Council can play a key role in ending mass incarceration and also wants to boost the public understanding of the office itself, which is too often overlooked. Learn more about Mara at https://maradolan.com/.
Dr. Stacey Borden is the founder and director of New Beginnings Reentry Services and someone who has been fighting for better supports for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls. As a Black woman and a formerly incarcerated woman, Stacey brings vital perspectives that have never been represented on the Governor’s Council. Stacey’s work has emphasized the importance of building power in Black and Brown communities blended advocacy, rehabilitation, and systemic change. Learn more about Stacey at https://www.stacey4governorscouncil.com/.
The Massachusetts state primary is Tuesday September 3, the day after Labor Day. That’s 10 weeks and 1 day away. And that will go by fast.
In April, our Elections and Endorsements Committee began sending our comprehensive policy questionnaire to candidates running in contested races for MA House and MA Senate. We view these questionnaires as a vital opportunity to educate candidates about issues that matter to progressive voters, get candidates on record, and create a more informed and engaged electorate. Read questionnaires we’ve received for legislative and other races so far here.
The Committee reviewed them in May, interviewed candidates, and deliberated to make a first round of recommendations. And then we surveyed our members because, as an organization committed to democracy, all of our endorsements must ultimately be approved by our members
So we are proud to share our first endorsements for the 2024 cycle. Read more about them below.
Arielle Reid Faria is a housing champion who serves as the Managing Director of the Island Housing Trust and the co-chair of the Coalition to Create a Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank, a key part of the statewide coalition for a local option real estate transfer fee. She brings important lived experience, a strong organizing background, and a passion for increasing civic engagement in the district and beyond. Learn more at https://www.ariellefaria.com/.
Leigh Davis is a housing champion, a former union member, and an environmentalist who serves on the Great Barrington Select Board. She has been a key voice in building Western Mass support for a local option real estate transfer fee and in passing policies to address the housing crisis locally, and demonstrates a strong commitment to fighting for the underserved. Learn more at https://www.leighdavis.org/.
Heather May is an educator at Emerson College and a community activist in Waltham. Having been active in the push to unionize non-tenured faculty, she understands the value of organizing, and she is running on strong progressive policies and the need for systemic change in the MA House. We endorsed Heather in 2022 and are proud to do so again. Learn more at https://www.heatherforwaltham.com/.
Bill Humphrey is a third-term Newton City Councilor, the former chair of Progressive Newton, and an outspoken advocate for workers’ rights, public education, affordable housing, transit equity, and climate action. He has shown a willingness to fight for his principles on the Council and understands the importance of building coalitions whether inside or outside of the halls of power to advance progressive policy. Learn more at https://www.billhumphrey.org/.
Evan McKay is a union leader, pro-democracy organizer, and scholar of the criminal legal system. They were a part of the successful recent effort to democratize the UAW, making it a bolder and more responsive union, and are running to advocate for a more progressive and responsive State House that views activists as partners in advancing a shared vision. Learn more at https://www.evanforcambridge.com/.
Erika Uyterhoeven has been a reliable progressive ally at the State House. She has been a vocal champion of such issues as tax fairness, worker’s rights, housing justice, climate action, and decarceration, and she is a forward-thinking policymaker eager to learn about innovative policy ideas and approaches and seed them into the debate. She is someone who has been willing to buck Leadership and stand by her principles, and she has leveraged her role as a state legislator to visit prisons and jails for oversight and accountability and to secure a commitment from the DOC to allow incarcerated individuals to testify virtually at the State House. Learn more at https://www.electerika.com/.
Erin Bradly is a policy advocate and former State Senate staffer who has written policies that have benefited children and families across the Commonwealth. A member of the Select Board in Milton, she was a vocal supporter of MBTA Communities Act rezoning, and she has been active in building the bench of progressive women to run for office in Milton. Learn more at https://www.erinforstatesenate.com/.
All elections are special, but some are more “special” than others. On Tuesday, May 2, voters in West Roxbury, part of Roslindale, and part of Jamaica Plain in Boston, as well as part of Brookline, will be going to the polls for a special election for state representative for the 10th Suffolk district, vacated by Rep. Ed Coppinger.
We invited all candidates running to submit candidate questionnaires, and you can find those that we received here.
Both of our chapters in the district — JP Progressives and Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale — held forums, interviews, and endorsement votes, and both of them endorsed Rob Orthman for the 10th Suffolk.
Progressive Mass conducted our own member vote for the race, and we are proud to say that we will be joining our chapters in endorsing Rob Orthman for the 10th Suffolk.
Here is what some of our members said about Rob:
And here is what our chapters said:
JP Progressives:
The JP Progressives Steering Committee recommends the endorsement of Rob Orthman for the May 2 special election for the 10th Suffolk State Representative seat…We were inspired by Rob’s organizing work in the district to advance these policies, including a recent success mobilizing in Roslindale on a housing project that led to a substantial increase in the number of affordable units, and his advocacy work with Walk Up Roslindale, which led to the creation of the morning inbound bus lane on Washington Street between Roslindale Village and Forest Hills. ….Rob has secured endorsements from candidates and elected officials we have endorsed previously, including David Halbert (former candidate for City Council At Large), Ruthzee Louijeune (Boston City Councilor At Large), and, importantly, Sam Montaño, the other state representative representing Jamaica Plain and a staunch advocate for affordable housing.
Progressive WRox/Roz:
PWRR endorses Rob Orthman for his tireless community leadership in critical policy areas and his knowledge of how policies impact the daily lives of residents. Rob has experience throughout the district; he’s been a leader on housing, transportation, climate, and small business. Rob is a consistent and courageous voice for a more sustainable and equitable future — crucial for the multiple crises we face in our state. Many members noted that Rob is already a community leader, effective, tireless, and visionary, focused on local and regional challenges. Rob has professional experience in the statewide childcare affordability crisis, and is a Boston Public Schools graduate and parent committed to progressive education policy. He has deep knowledge of all the district’s communities from personal and professional experience, including constituent services when he was on Councilor Tobin’s staff.
On Tuesday, Massachusetts voters made history. We made history.
By voting YES on 1 and passing the Fair Share Amendment, Massachusetts voters said YES to a more equitable tax code and to transformative investments in our public schools and infrastructure.
This victory was years, decades, in the making. Since voters put a flat tax into the state constitution in 1915, Massachusetts has suffered from a regressive tax code, hamstringing our ability to deliver on a goal on shared prosperity despite great resources. Five times, activists tried to change that, but each time, facing moneyed opposition, misinformation, and anti-tax sentiment, they lost.
But this time, we—the people—won. The millionaires and billionaires of the state will chip in more so that every student can get a high-quality public education, so that our public colleges and universities can get proper funding, so that our roads and bridges can be safe to drive on, and so that our public transit systems can move us around the commonwealth more quickly.
And that win would never have happened without the countless hours of work from members of the Raise Up Mass Coalition, which we have been proud to be a part of. Your hours of signature collection, pledge card collection, phone calling, canvassing, educating friends and neighbors, holding events. It is that work that is the lifeblood of democracy.
By voting YES on 4 and upholding the Work & Family Mobility Act, we cemented our status as the 17th state to ensure that all qualified drivers, regardless of immigration status, can obtain a driver’s license, making our roads safer, expanding economic opportunity, recognizing that mobility is a basic right, and treating our immigrant communities with the dignity they deserve.
That victory, both legislative and ballot, was the result of the Driving Families Forward coalition, which we were proud to be a part of. And it, again, required the work of outreach, of organizing, and of pushing back against misinformation.
Both wins show the power of organizing across the Commonwealth in ways that bring community groups into coalition with labor and in ways that listen to the voices and needs of the most impacted.
So, THANK YOU for what you’ve done in making those victories possible.
But also THANK YOU for the work you will continue to do. Progressive Mass was founded almost ten years ago out of a recognition that this work needs to continue after the election is over. That period in between cycles is when we preserve and grow the power that we build, where we foster communities of organizers, where we educate our neighbors about what is possible.
We hope you’ll join us in that work by becoming a member of Progressive Mass.
Thank you for all you do.
It’s finally Election Day!!!
This year’s ballot questions have the possibility to greatly impact the safety and equity of life in Massachusetts.
Whether that impact will be positive or negative is up to your YES votes.
Below is an explanation of why we have endorsed YES on Questions 1, 2, and 4 (and for those select districts, 5 and 6). Please share these resources with your family, friends and neighbors and help us promote progressive policy.
The Fair Share Amendment – Question 1 on the November ballot – will allow Massachusetts to improve our transportation and public education systems by making the very rich pay their fair share. Question 1 would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and constitutionally dedicate the funds to be spent on transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will be impacted; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more. And we’ll all benefit from better schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation.
We know that there are lots of questions about how the tax will be implemented and spent. The Fair Share FAQ website has factual, easy to understand answers, including in the extremely rare instances where it will apply to the sale of houses and businesses.
In Massachusetts, we have a law that requires medical insurance plans to spend at least 88% of all premiums on health care or efforts to improve the quality of health care delivery. However, no such requirement exists for dental insurance. If Question 2 passes, a minimum of 83% of your premium would have to be spent on care, rather than profit, and strengthen financial transparency of dental insurance companies.
To learn how a Yes vote on Question 2 will require more patient dollars to be spent on patient care check out the Yes on 2 website FAQ.
A YES on 4 would uphold the Work & Family Mobility Act, a bill passed by 75% of the MA Legislature that would allow qualified drivers – regardless of immigration status – to pass a road test, buy insurance, obtain a license and legally drive in Massachusetts. By voting YES ON 4, Massachusetts voters will ensure that immigrants without status can legally make essential trips, like dropping off kids at school and getting to work, while promoting road safety for all of us.
Learn more about the positive impact similar legislation has made in other states and why it should stay law by visiting the Safer Roads MA FAQ site.
Wait, Is There a Q5 or a Q6, too?
In select state representative districts, there are non-binding advisory questions as well, and if you see them on your ballot, we recommend voting YES on these questions also:
Both are clear and simple; and lots of YES votes send a strong message to your state representative.
Some final voting reminders…
If you have any questions about the ballot questions or making your vote count, please feel free to respond to this email- we are here to help!
Election Day is less than three weeks away. Do you have a plan to vote?
Fortunately, you have options for how to vote this year (and, indeed, you may have already voted!):
And remember, the deadline to register to vote or update your registration is Saturday, October 29. You can register online here if you need to.
The Fair Share Amendment – Question 1 on the November ballot – will allow Massachusetts to improve our transportation and public education systems by making the very rich pay their fair share. Question 1 would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and constitutionally dedicate the funds to be spent on transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will be impacted; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more. And we’ll all benefit from better schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation. Learn more and get involved at FairShareMA.com.
In Massachusetts, we have a law that requires medical insurance plans to spend at least 88% of all money taken in by premiums on health care or efforts to improve the quality of health care delivery. However, no such requirement exists for dental insurance, enabling insurance companies to siphon off as much as they want to line executives’ pockets. Question 2 would establish such a requirement for dental insurance plans so that dental insurance premiums go toward care, rather than profit, and strengthen financial transparency and regulation of dental insurance companies.
A YES on 4 would uphold the Work & Family Mobility Act, a bill passed by 75% of the MA Legislature that would allow qualified drivers – regardless of immigration status – to pass a road test, buy insurance, obtain a license and legally drive in Massachusetts. By voting YES ON 4, Massachusetts voters will ensure that immigrants without status can legally make essential trips, like dropping off kids at school and getting to work, medical appointments, and the grocery store, while upholding the regulatory framework that ensures all drivers have passed a road test, bought insurance, and have a form of verified identification. Learn more and get involved at https://saferroadsma.com/.
In select state representative districts, there are non-binding advisory questions as well, and if you see them on your ballot, you should also vote YES:
Both are clear and simple; you should vote YES, and your state representative should listen.
As a reminder, our members have endorsed the following candidates:
Hampden, Hampshire & Worcester: Jake Oliveira
Norfolk, Worcester & Middlesex: Becca Rausch
Second Suffolk: Liz Miranda
First Worcester: Robyn Kennedy
3rd Bristol: Carol Doherty
7th Essex: Manny Cruz
8th Middlesex: James Arena-DeRosa
22nd Middlesex: Teresa English
27th Middlesex: Erika Uyterhoeven
9th Norfolk: Kevin Kalkut
11th Plymouth: Rita Mendes
5th Suffolk: Christopher Worrell
15th Suffolk: Sam Montaño
11th Worcester: Stephen Fishman
17th Worcester: David LeBoeuf
Plymouth County: Rahsaan Hall
Election Day is one month and one day away. That’s right: November 8 is coming fast.
And there are many opportunities, all across Massachusetts, to help ensure victory for Question 1 and Question 4 this November.
As a reminder, Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment, would add a 4% surtax to the portion of someone’s annual income over $1 million to raise $2 billion in constitutionally dedicated funds for public education and transportation across the Commonwealth. 99+% of us won’t pay a penny more, but we will all benefit from the investments the revenue would make possible.
Those investments can mean greater funding for early education, for more teachers and counselors in our schools, for lowering tuition and hiring faculty and at our public colleges and universities, for fixing potholes, for upgrading structurally deficient bridges, and for expanding access to high-quality public transit.
Here’s how you can help:
As a reminder, in June over 75% of Massachusetts State Senators and Representatives voted to override a gubernatorial veto so that all qualified state residents, regardless of immigration status, can apply for a standard Massachusetts driver’s license starting on July 1, 2023, joining 18 other states with such laws including our neighbors New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Unfortunately, xenophobes and reactionaries in the state are trying to overturn this and are hoping to repeal it by ballot. But we won’t let them.
Vote YES to keep the law in place for safer roads, greater public safety, and work and family mobility.
Election Day is six weeks away. And that’s coming up fast.
In that spirit, we’re proud to announce a new round of endorsements, voted on by our members.
A few quick reminders first:
The District: Easton (Precinct 4A, 5, 6), Taunton (Ward 1 Precincts A, B; Wards 2, 5, 7, 8)
Rep. Carol Doherty has been fighting to ensure that all students get the resources and supports they need. She understands that every community in our Commonwealth thrives when we invest in education and infrastructure, when we strengthen workers’ rights, and when our government is accessible and accountable to the public they serve.
Learn more about her campaign at https://caroldoherty.com/.
The District: Leicester (Precincts 2, 4); Worcester (Ward 7; Ward 8 Precincts 2, 3, 4, 6; Ward 10 Precinct 6)
Rep. David LeBoeuf has been a strong advocate for expanding health care access and removing economic barriers facing the most marginalized. A committed supporter of bold climate action, he understands how housing, climate, and economic justice are connected and co-filed the top piece of legislation this past session to advance that vision of climate action. Learn more about his campaign at https://www.davidleboeuf.org.
The District: Boston (Roxbury, Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain)
Rep. Liz Miranda has been a strong champion for immigrants’ rights, criminal legal reform, maternal health, and environmental justice and is a legislator who knows how to fight to win. She brings a powerful lived experience and a commitment to policy and robust constituent services. She has been a vocal ally for individuals and groups fighting for justice in Massachusetts, and we need more people like her in office.
Learn more about her campaign at https://www.lizmiranda.com/.
The District: Belchertown, Chicopee (Ward 1 Precincts A, B; Ward 6 Precincts A, B; Ward 8 Precinct B; Ward 9 Precinct B; East Longmeadow; Granby; Hampden; Longmeadow; Ludlow; Palmer; South Hadley; Springfield; Ward 6 Precincts B, D; Ward 7 Precincts B, C, D, E, F, G, H1; Warren; Wilbraham)
Rep. Jake Oliveira has been a strong champion of public education and a reliable ally for transit and environmental justice activists in Western Mass. As a former advocate for the state association of school committees and the state association for public universities, he understands well how investing in education is critical for equity and economic vitality.
Learn more about his campaign at https://www.jakeoliveira.org/.
The District: Medfield (Precincts 3, 4), Millis (Precinct 1), Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole (Precinct 5), Wrentham
Kevin Kalkut has a shown a commitment to public service via the Norfolk Planning Board and Norfolk Select Board and to coalition-building, having brought together stakeholders to create a plan to expand multifamily zoning while preserving green space. He would be a strong advocate for public education, reproductive health care, affordable housing, and climate action.
Learn more about his campaign at https://www.kalkut4rep.com/.
The District: Boston (Roxbury, Dorchester)
Chris Worrell has a strong background in public service and community engagement, especially ensuring greater voice for impacted communities. As a state legislator, he will fight to address deep-rooted education and housing inequities and ensure that Roxbury and Dorchester are able to benefit from our state’s economic prosperity.
Learn more about his campaign at https://votechristopherworrell.com/.
The District: Shrewsbury; Westborough (Precinct 4)
Stephen Fishman is a former small business owner who understands that small businesses thrive when we invest in strong public education and transportation systems. Unlike the Republican incumbent he is challenging, he would be a reliable advocate for workers’ rights, voting rights, and reproductive justice.
Learn more about his campaign at https://stephenfishman.org/.
As a reminder, these join our other endorsees advancing to November: