This weekend marks Daylight Savings Time, when we will be turning the clock backwards an hour.

It's also the most important weekend of the year for turning our state forward: GET OUT THE VOTE (GOTV) weekend, the last days up and including Election Day on Tuesday, November 6th.

What are you doing to help move our state forward? Here are some ideas.

Ballot Questions

On November 6, Massachusetts voters will see three questions on their ballot. Progressive Massachusetts recommends YES-YES-YES.

Elections matter. Our ability to make progressive change in Massachusetts depends on our electing progressive champions to office -- every office.

The general election is coming up soon on Tuesday, November 6th. Help us send such a message that voters want bold, progressive policymaking.

Over the past couple of months, we've been inviting candidates to fill out our comprehensive policy questionnaire -- a vital tool for informing voters and for holding politicians accountable. Our Election and Endorsement Committee reviews them and then chooses whether to make a recommendation to our members, the ultimate deciders. We set a high bar for endorsements; candidates must earn at least 60% of our members' votes.

Congrats to our endorsees! (NB: Several of our primary endorsees still have general elections ahead of them -- Becca Rausch, Steve Leibowitz, Jim Hawkins, and Christina Minicucci. Read about them here.)

State Senate

Cape & Islands: Julian Cyr

Julian Cyr serves in the Massachusetts Senate representing Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Born and raised in Truro, Julian got his start in with a career in public policy, health advocacy, organizing, and social justice. Julian was elected to the State Senate in 2016 as the youngest senator in the 40-member body. As State Senator, Julian is dedicated to identifying solutions for the opioid epidemic, public education, and protecting the Cape's vulnerable environment. As a proudly gay legislator, Julian has advocated on behalf of the Commonwealth's LGBTQ residents as State Senator and as former chair of the Massachusetts Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth.

Middlesex & Worcester: Jamie Eldridge

Jamie Eldridge has served as State Senator for the Middlesex and Worcester district since January 2009. Senator Eldridge serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services, and is known for his leadership on progressive issues. Previously, Senator Eldridge served as State Representative for the 37th Middlesex district, after being elected the only Clean Elections candidate to public office in Massachusetts history in November 2002. For the 2017-18 session, Senator Eldridge, filed bills aimed at reducing the wealth gap, making health care a right, protecting the environment, combating climate change, increasing education funding, reforming the criminal justice system, and safeguarding the civil rights of immigrants and Muslims in Massachusetts.

Plymouth & Norfolk: Katie McBrine

Dr. Katie McBrine is a lifelong Democrat, a pediatrician and a mom, not the classic politician. She decided to run for office because she is disappointed by our state’s failure to make progress toward the goals in our party platform. As a doctor, she is witnessing firsthand the attacks on health care. She cannot sit by any longer while people suffer because our legislators do not know enough about how our health care system works to propose effective solutions. Dr. McBrine has long been active in the community as a health and science educator. She is a progressive who sees many issues through the lens of impact on public health. She wants to see our state lead the nation in affordable health care, in environmental protection, in civil rights, in education, in public transportation, and in gun safety. She will take her experience, her concerns, and her values to Beacon Hill and knowledgeably advocate for change.

State House

5th Barnstable: Jack Stanton

Jack Stanton is a lifelong Sandwich resident with deep ties to his community. He is a product of the public schools, graduating as president of his high school class in 2010 and receiving his BA from the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs in 2014. Since then Jack has been working primarily in the development sector with experience at the World Bank, and at Forcier Consulting in Mozambique. Deeply troubled by the political climate, concerned about the numerous challenges affecting Cape Cod, and seeing a need for more activist leadership at the state level, Jack decided to move home and run for office in his hometown. Since returning, Jack has been working as an offshore lobsterman while campaigning to bring attention to the many issues affecting Cape Cod – a region wrongly perceived as a wealthy enclave. Jack is running to challenge this notion and better serve his neighbors.

2nd Essex: Christina Eckert

Christina Eckert has been advocating for the children of Essex County for 11 years.  After serving as President of Boxford PTO, she then co-founded Masconomet Education Foundation, raising nearly half a million dollars for two STEM labs and other educational initiatives. She is Development Director for grassroots children’s charity Community Giving Tree, helping the organization grow from serving hundreds of children per year, to helping 10,000 annually. She also serves on Boxford’s Recreation Committee, overseeing the summer Park Program since 2008. Christina sees her run for State Rep in the 2^nd Essex District as a way to have a larger impact on the greater community. She wants to prioritize public schools and their safety; move toward a clean energy future; and make health care truly universal and comprehensive.

18th Essex: Tram Nguyen

1st Hampden: Tanya Neslusan

As the daughter, sister and wife of veterans, Tanya Neslusan believes strongly in the concept of service to country and community. She is an activist who currently serves as the President of the Sturbridge Regional Huddle, Secretary of the Sturbridge Democratic Town Committee, and a member of the Planning Committee for the Worcester Chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice. Giving back to her community has always been important to her, whether she was coaching youth soccer or participating in Habitat for Humanity. Running for office is just another extension of that commitment which will enable her to help others on a larger scale. She currently resides in Sturbridge with her wife, Rebecca, her teenage son, Nick.

14th Middlesex: Tami Gouveia

Tami Gouveia is a strategic thinker and collaborator with a strong passion for social and environmental justice. For over 15 years, she has worked as a leader in public health and social work, serving as Director of Programs for the Greater Lawrence Health Center, Founder and Chair of the Lowell Roundtable on Substance Abuse Prevention, and Executive Director of Tobacco Free Mass. In 2016, Tami founded and co-organized the MA Chapter of the Women's March, an experience that ultimately precipitated her run for office. On Beacon Hill, Tami hopes to continue the work she’s achieved in enhancing community health, addressing the roots causes of addiction, advocating for justice, and holding corporations accountable. A native Lowellian, Tami now lives in Acton with her two sons.

2nd Plymouth: Sarah Hewins

Sarah Hewins is in her fourth term as Carver Selectman, was elected twice for 10 years to the Planning Board, and served as the town’s Conservation Agent for 15 years. Thirty years ago, Sarah formed a coalition to preserve hundreds of acres of wetlands in the Mississippi delta. Over the past 20 years in southeastern Massachusetts, she has preserved 600 acres of land, established inclusive zoning for affordable housing, was a leader in getting a new elementary school, spearheaded passing the Community Preservation Act, was a co-founder and volunteer Executive Director of a non-profit to help at-risk youth, and attempted to unionize town hall management employees. She has served on many town and regional committees and boards and has run the toddler story hour at the library for 22 years. She earned a PhD in Sociology of Community from Princeton University.

17th Worcester: David LeBoeuf

David LeBoeuf is a lifelong Worcester resident and proud graduate of the Worcester Public Schools. David began his career as an interim staff assistant in the Worcester City Manager’s Office. In 2011, he was appointed as the Director of the Initiative for Engaged Citizenship (IEC), a coalition of community-based organizations focused on increasing civic participation in local elections and advocating for election modernization. Since 2015, he has been an Urban Business Initiatives Associate at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, focused on increasing opportunities for small businesses in underserved communities. He currently serves on the boards of the African Community Education program (ACE), the Latin American Health Alliance of Central MA (Hector Reyes House), and the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center of Central MA/Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, where he is board president.

Primary Night 2018 was a big night for Progressive Massachusetts and our endorsed candidates.

Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley defeated incumbent Congressman Mike Capuano by 17%, becoming the first woman of color to represent Massachusetts in Washington.

Rachael Rollins won by 16% and will become the first woman of color to be the District Attorney of Suffolk County. She ran on a strong progressive platform of implementing the recently passed criminal justice reform bill and taking bold steps beyond it to curb mass incarceration and make sure we aren’t criminalizing poverty, illness, and addiction.

And in a strong message to House Leadership, challengers Jon Santiago and Nika Elugardo defeated Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing and Ways & Means Chair Jeff Sanchez, respectively.

They will be joined in the House by other Progressive Mass endorsees Lindsay Sabadosa (Northampton), Maria Robinson (Framingham), and Tommy Vitolo (Brookline), all of whom had big wins last night and face no challenge in the general election. Additionally, Berkshire County will now have a progressive reformer District Attorney in Andrea Harrington.

Becca Rausch won big and will go on to face incumbent Senator Richard Ross this November, and Steve Leibowitz will go on to face incumbent Representative Tim Whelan. Christina Minicucci will face a Republican challenger this fall as well. They will all need your help.

As do our endorsees Jay Gonzalez and Quentin Palfrey, who are fighting to bring progressive policy back to the Corner Office.

Getting legislators on record is an important part of holding them accountable. We're collecting comprehensive policy questionnaires from candidates around the Commonwealth in contested primaries.

For each district listed below, you can see the scorecard page of the current officeholder, the cities and towns contained by the district, and the questionnaires of the candidates running (with shout-outs to our endorsees, when we have chosen to endorse).

You can read about our endorsement decisions here. All endorsements are ultimately decided by our members.

Have questions, or want to get more involved? Email us at elections@progressivemass.com.

Stay tuned for more questionnaires.We will post them after our dues-paying members have the opportunity to review them. You can become a member at progressivemass.com/membership.

MA Senate

Cape & Islands

Current Officeholder: Sen. Julian Cyr (D)

The District: Consisting of the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet and Yarmouth in the county of Barnstable; the towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury in the county of Dukes; and the town of Nantucket in the county of Nantucket

Candidates:

• Julian Cyr (**PM ENDORSED**)
• John Flores (R)

Second Essex & Middlesex

Candidates:

• Mike Armano  (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Barry Finegold (No questionnaire)
• Pavel Payano

Hampden

Current Officeholder: Sen. James Welch

The District: Consisting of the cities of Chicopee, ward 2, precincts A and B, ward 3, precincts A and B, ward 4, precincts A and B, and Springfield, ward 1, ward 2 precincts A to F, inclusive, and H, ward 3, ward 4, precincts A to E, inclusive, G and H, ward 5, precincts A to C, inclusive, and E, ward 6, precincts A and C, and E to G, inclusive, ward 8, precincts B to H, inclusive, and the town of West Springfield in the county of Hampden.

Candidates:

• Amaad Rivera (**PM ENDORSED**)
• James Welch (No questionnaire)

Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester

Current Officeholder: Vacated by Sen. Stan Rosenberg (D)

The District: Consisting of the city of Northampton and the towns of Amherst, Hadley, Hatfield, Pelham and South Hadley in the county of Hampshire; the towns of Bernardston, Colrain, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Leverett, Leyden, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell and Whately in the county of Franklin; and the town of Royalston in the county of Worcester.

Candidates:

• Chelsea Kline (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Jo Comerford
• Steve Connor
• Dave Murphy
• Ryan O'Donnell (No questionnaire)

First Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Vacated by Sen. Eileen Donoghue (D)

The District: Consisting of the city of Lowell and the towns of Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, Tyngsborough and Westford in the county of Middlesex

Candidates:

• John Drinkwater (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Edward Kennedy
• Terry Ryan
• Rodney Elliott (No questionnaire)
• William Martin, Jr. (No questionnaire)

Fifth Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Sen. Jason Lewis

The District: Consisting of Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham and Wakefield, along with Winchester precincts 1, 2, 3 and 8.

Candidates:

• Sam Hammar (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Jason Lewis

Middlesex & Worcester

Candidates:

• Jamie Eldridge (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Margaret Busse (R)

Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex

Candidates:

• Becca Rausch (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Jacqueline Katz
• Kris Aleksov (No questionnaire)

Norfolk & Plymouth

Candidates:

• Katie McBrine (**PM Endorsed**)
• Patrick O'Connor

Plymouth & Barnstable

Challenger: Deb Rudolf (D)

Worcester & Norfolk

Challenger: Tom Merolli

MA House

1st Barnstable

Current Officeholder: Rep. Timothy Whelan (R)

The District: Consisting of Barnstable: Precinct 1; Brewster: Precincts 1, 2; Dennis; Yarmouth: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7

Candidates:

• Steven Leibowitz (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Joshua Mason (No questionnaire)

5th Barnstable

Current Officeholder: Rep. Randy Hunt (R)

The District: Consisting of Barnstable: Precincts 11, 12; Bourne: Precincts 1, 2, 7; Sandwich; Plymouth: Precinct 9 (Plymouth)

Challenger: Jack Stanton (**PM ENDORSED**)

2nd Bristol

Current Officeholder: Rep. Jim Hawkins (D) -- elected in April 2018 special

The District: Consisting of Attleboro Wards 1, 2, Ward 3: Precinct A, Wards 4, 5, 6

Candidates:

• Jim Hawkins (**PM Endorsed**)
• Sara Reynolds (No questionnaire)
• Julie Hall (R)

3rd Bristol

Current Officeholder: Rep. Shaunna O'Connell (R)

The District: Consisting of Easton: Precinct 6; Taunton: Wards 1, 2, Ward 3: Precinct A, Wards 5, 7, 8

Challenger: Emily Farrer

2nd Essex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Lenny Mirra (R)

The District: Consisting of Boxford: Precincts 2, 3; Georgetown; Groveland; Haverhill: Ward 4: Precinct 3, Ward 7: Precinct 3; Merrimac; Newbury; West Newbury

Challenger: Christina Eckert (**PM Endorsed**)

11th Essex

Current Officeholder: Vacated by Rep. Brendan Crighton (D), who became a State Senator

The District: Consisting of Lynn: Ward 4: Precinct 3; Ward 5: Precincts 1, 4; Wards 6 and 7; Nahant

Candidates:

• Peter Capano
• Hong Net
• Drew Russo

14th Essex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Dian DiZoglio (D) -- Running for State Senate

The District: Consisting of Haverhill: Ward 7: Precinct 2; Lawrence: Ward A: Precincts 1, 3, Ward F: Precinct 1; Methuen: Precincts 3, 7, 10; North Andover: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Candidates:

• Christina Minicucci (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Lisa Yarid Ferry (No questionnaire)

18th Essex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Jim Lyons (R)

The District: Consisting of Andover: Precincts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Boxford: Precinct 1; North Andover: Precincts 6, 7, 8; Tewksbury: Precincts 3, 3A (Middlesex County)

Candidates: Tram Nguyen (**PM ENDORSED**)

1st Franklin

Current Officeholder: Rep. Stephen Kulik (D) -- Retiring

The District: Consisting of Hatfield; Northampton; Southampton; Westhampton; Montgomery (Hampden Co.)

Candidates:

• Kate Albright-Hanna
• Natalie Blais
• Christine Doktor
• Casey Pease
• Francia Wisnewski
• Andrew Baker (No questionnaire)
• Jonathan Edwards (No questionnaire)
• Nathaniel Waring (No questionnaire)

1st Hampden

Current Officeholder: Rep. Todd Smola (R)

The District: Consisting of Brimfield; Holland; Palmer; Wales; Ware: Precincts B, C (Hampshire Co.); Sturbridge (Worcester Co.); Warren (Worcester Co.)

Challenger: Tanya Neslusan

1st Hampshire

Current Officeholder: Vacated by the passing of Rep. Peter Kocot (D)

The District: Consisting of Hatfield; Northampton; Southampton; Westhampton; Montgomery (Hampden Co.)

Candidates:

• Lindsay Sabadosa (**PM Endorsed**)
• Diana Szynal

2nd Hampshire

Current Officeholder: Rep. John Scibak (D) -- Retiring

The District: Consisting of Easthampton; Granby: Precinct 2; Hadley; South Hadley

Candidates:

• Marie McCourt (**PM ENDORSED**)
• John Hine
• Daniel Carey (No questionnaire)

3rd Hampshire

Current Officeholder: Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose (U) -- unenrolled from the Democratic Party in February and then decided not to run for re-election in early August

The District: Consisting of Amherst, precinct 1 of Granby and Pelham

Candidates:

• Eric Nakajima
• Mindy Domb (no questionnaire)

6th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Vacated by the passing of Rep. Chris Walsh (D)

The District: Consisting of Framingham: Precincts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15.

Candidates:

• Maria Robinson (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Mary Kate Feeney
• Michael Gatlin

14th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Cory Atkins (D) -- Retiring

The District: Consisting of Acton: Precincts 1, 2, 6; Carlisle; Chelmsford: Precincts 1, 9; Concord

Candidates:

• Benjamin Bloomenthal
• Tami Gouveia (**PM ENDORSED** -- Post-primary)
• Christian Krueger
• Danny Factor (G)

15th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Jay Kaufman (D) -- Retiring

The District: Consisting of Lexington; Woburn: Wards 1, 7

Candidates:

• Mary Ann Stewart (**PM Endorsed**)
• Michelle Ciccolo
• Matthew Cohen (No questionnaire)
• Joe Lahiff (No questionnaire)
• William Sweeney (No questionnaire)

18th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Rady Mom

The District: Consisting of Precincts 1 and 2 of ward 2, ward 3, precinct 1 of ward 4, and wards 7 and 8, of Lowell

Candidates:

• Sam Meas
• Rithy Uong
• Rady Mom (No questionnaire)

19th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Vacated by the passing of Rep. James Miceli (D)

The District: Consisting of Tewksbury: Precincts 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 4, 4A; Wilmington: Precincts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Candidates:

• Erika Johnson (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Mark Kratman (No questionnaire)
• Michael McCoy (No questionnaire)
• Judith O'Connell (No questionnaire)
• David Robertson (No questionnaire)

22nd Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Marc Lombardo (R)

The District: Consisting of Billerica

Challenger: Chris Tribou

23rd Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Sean Garballey (D)

The District: Consisting of Arlington: Precincts 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21; Medford: Ward 3: Precinct 2, Ward 6: Precincts 1, 2.

Candidates:

• Sean Garballey (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Lori Lennon

28th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Joseph McGonagle (D)

The District: Consisting of the City of Everett

Candidates:

• Gerly Adrien (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Joseph McGonagle (No questionnaire)
• Stat Smith (No questionnaire)

30th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. James Dwyer ("D") -- Retiring

The District: Consisting of Reading: Precincts 2, 3, 4, 5; Woburn: Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Candidates:

• Darryn Remillard (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Anne Landry
• Joseph Demers (No questionnaire)
• Richard Haggerty (No questionnaire)

36th Middlesex

Current Officeholder: Rep. Colleen Garry ("D")

The District: Consisting of Dracut; Tynsgborough

Candidates:

• Sabrina Heisey (**PM Endorsed**)
• Colleen Garry (No questionnaire), the lowest-ranking Democrat in our Mid-Session Scorecard and our 2016-2017 Scorecard

13th Norfolk

Current Officeholder: Rep. Denise Garlick (D)

The District: Consisting of Dover; Medfield: Precincts 1, 2; Needham

Candidates:

• Denise Garlick
• Ted Steinberg

15th Norfolk

Current Officeholder: Rep. Frank Smizik (D) -- Retiring

The District: Consisting of Brookline: Precincts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Candidates:

• Tommy Vitolo (**PM ENDORSED**)
• Rebecca Stone

2nd Plymouth

Current Officeholder: Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R)

The District: Consisting of Carver; Middleborough: Precincts 3, 6; Wareham

Challenger: Sarah Hewins (**PM Endorsed**)

7th Plymouth

Current Officeholder: Rep. Geoff Diehl (R) -- retiring to run against Sen. Elizabeth Warren

The District: Consisting of Abington; East Bridgewater: Precincts 2, 3, 4; Whitman

Candidates:

• Kevin Higgins (**PM ENDORSED*)
• Alex Bezanson

5th Suffolk

Current Officeholder: Rep. Evandro Carvalho (D) -- Running for Suffolk County District Attorney

The District: Consisting of Boston: Ward 7: Precinct 10, Ward 8: Precincts 5, 6, 7, Ward 12: Precinct 6, Ward 13: Precincts 1, 2, 4, 5, Ward 14: Precinct 1, Ward 15: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, Ward 17: Precincts 1, 2.

Candidates:

• Darrin Howell
• Liz Miranda

9th Suffolk

Current Officeholder: Rep. Byron Rushing

The District: Consisting of Boston: Ward 4: Precincts 2, 4, 5, 7, Ward 5: Precincts 2, 10, Ward 8: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4; Ward 9: Precincts 1, 2, 3.

Candidates:

• Jon Santiago (**PM ENDORSED*)
• Byron Rushing
• Suezanne Patrice Bruce (No questionnaire)

14th Suffolk

Current Officeholder: Rep. Angelo Scaccia (D)

The District: Consisting of Boston: Ward 18: Precincts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, Ward 20: Precincts 3, 8, 9

Candidates:

• Segun Idowu
• Gretchen Van Ness
• Virak Uy
• Christopher Nzenwa
• Angelo Scaccia

15th Suffolk

Current Officeholder: Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez

The District: Consisting of Boston: Ward 10, Ward 19: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, Ward 20: Precincts 2, 4; Brookline: Precinct 5 (Norfolk Co.)

Candidates:

• Nika Elugardo (**PM ENDORSED*)
• Jeffrey Sanchez

17th Worcester

Current Officeholder: Rep. Kate Campanale (R) -- Retiring to run for Worcester County Registrar of Deeds

The District: Consisting of Leicester; Worcester: Ward 7, Ward 8: Precincts 2, 3, 4

Candidates:

• Pam Gemme
• David LeBoeuf (**PM ENDORSED** -- Post-primary)
• Paul Fullen (R)

>> members, skip right to the vote

The Progressive Needham endorsement vote for the 13th Norfolk House district is now open!

As a dues-paying member of Progressive Needham, we want to thank you for your support and request your participation in our endorsement process for 13th Norfolk race . Please take a moment to review these notes on the voting process.

The deadline to vote is Thursday, June 14.

1. The Candidates
2. The Voting Process
3. Assessing the Candidates: Questionnaires
4. READY? VOTE!

The Candidates

• Denise Garlick: progressivemass.com/2018_garlick

• Ted Steinberg: progressivemass.com/2018_steinberg
  

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The Voting Process

You can choose to vote to endorse, to vote to not endorse, or vote to abstain.

If a candidate receives at least 60% of all ballots submitted, they will be endorsed by Progressive Needham.

If a candidate does not reach the 60% threshold, we will not endorse. Abstentions will not count in determining the total number of ballots of which a 60% threshold is required for endorsement.

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Assessing the Candidates

Progressive Mass sent detailed questionnaires to the two candidates in the race.

Before casting your vote, please review their responses, linked above.

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Ready? Vote!

When you are ready, cast your vote below. The vote will close on Thursday, June 14. 

Please do not share this link-- Voting is only open to those who are receiving this message directly from Progressive Massachusetts. Only votes from dues-paying members in good standing will be counted.

We will send a reminder before the deadline.

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This year, Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to make sure that strong progressive candidates get elected up and down the ballot. And that requires important decisions.

At Progressive Massachusetts, we are committed to a vision of shared prosperity, racial and social justice, good governance and strong democracy, and sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection. And we translate that vision into a Legislative Agenda each session. We need allies in elected office who will help us fight for that vision.

Three statewide races will be voted on at the Massachusetts Democratic Party convention on Saturday, June 2nd (one month from today). Earlier this year, we asked candidates to fill out our comprehensive policy questionnaire, and our chapters around the state held forums to get to know the candidates better. Over the past two weeks, we asked our members for their recommendation in each of the three races, and we set a high threshold of 60% to make sure that we have a strong consensus before getting involved in a race.

The results are in……

From our friends in the Progressive Needham chapter, a useful graphic on caucuses--and, below, some suggestions about how one might organize/engage to affect the electoral landscape

From February 3 to March 4, local Democratic town and ward committees across the state will be holding caucuses to elect delegates to the 6/2 Mass Dems Convention. 

Find your caucus location here: massdems.org/convention/2018-caucus-dates

Caucuses are one of the opportunities activists, organizers, and regular ol' concerned citizens have to exert some pressure on a "machine" (the electoral and Political Party apparatus).

By attending your caucus, you can vote for progressive delegates, and/or run as one yourself.

Bring the Progressive Mass Endorsement Questionnaires for Governor to your caucus (and, as they come in, those for for other statewide candidates). "Who are you supporting for Governor?" is going to be a popular topic of discussion! It's a great resources to share, browse during the boring bits, and give you material to ask follow-up questions. 

Check in with your Progressive Mass chapter and fellow members to ask if the group wants to organize for your Caucus. (There may already be a plan. If there isn't, offer to help get one started! Turn great ideas into action!). 

Below are some broad suggestions to get started on electoral work, in addition to Caucusing, whether on your own or with a group.

OTHER GRASSROOTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT/SHAPING THE ELECTION

ongoing! - AMPLIFY/ADVOCATE:Use our materials materials (questionnaire, platform, agenda) to frame discussions and debates. Ask candidates follow-up questions. Raise issues you’re not hearing enough about. Remember, before you give your support,a candidate has a great incentive (trying to earn it!) to hear out your questions and concerns!  

ongoing! - ORGANIZE/EDUCATE your Community on progressive issues (including,sharing materials like questionnaire, platform, agenda). Work with your PM Chapter to host candidate andissue forums (volunteer to be organizational lead! great ideas need people to turn into action!).

soon - PM ENDORSEMENT: By joining together in endorsements as an organization, our members increase all of our voices/power, individually,locally, and as a progressive movement. Our endorsement is comprised of individuals’votes. Weigh your vote thoughtfully. Organize other members for the candidate you believe is the best candidate (or for non-endorsement, should that be your conclusion).

feb. 3-mar.4—DELEGATES & CAUCUSES: Run for delegate. Support delegates who caucus for progressiveplatform/issues, organize caucuses for candidates/issues you value as progressive. Once delegates are elected, reach out to yours: work to persuade them to vote for PM-endorsed candidates at convention.

UPDATE! Our members have endorsed Jim Hawkins for State Rep, 2nd Bristol. Learn how you can help make a more progressive State House--so we can win more of our priorities!--by checking in here!

Last fall, Representative Paul Heroux (D-Attleboro) was elected as mayor of Attleboro.

Rep. Heroux had been a co-sponsor of 15 out of our 16 priority bills for this session. We have an ambitious agenda and need a champion to help us push it forward.

Special elections can be tough, but Attleboro elected a strong progressive (Paul Feeney) in the special Senate election last fall and an elect a strong progressive again.

The Candidates (Democratic Primary)

Jim Hawkins: Read Jim Hawkins's questionnaire here.

Paulo Salgueiro: Did not submit a questionnaire.

Ty Waterman: Did not submit a questionnaire.

EEC Recommendation

The Elections & Endorsement Committee reached out to all three candidates in the Democratic primary. One candidate (Ty Waterman) declined to fill out our questionnaire, and another (Pablo Salgueiro) was unresponsive. The third candidate -- Jim Hawkins -- did, and impressed the EEC with his history of community activism and advocacy for public education and his strong commitment toward advancing a progressive legislative agenda. The EEC thus strongly recommends that Progressive Mass endorse Jim Hawkins.

Your Turn

The ultimate decision of whether/whom to endorse belongs with you, the members. Please vote, following instructions you received in your email. 60% is required for endorsement.

This year, Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to make sure that strong progressive candidates get elected up and down the ballot. And that requires important decisions.

At Progressive Massachusetts, we are committed to a vision of shared prosperity, racial and social justice, good governance and strong democracy, and sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection. And we translate that vision into a Legislative Agenda each session. We need allies in elected office who will help us fight for that vision.

Three statewide races will be voted on at the Massachusetts Democratic Party convention on Saturday, June 2nd (one month from today). Earlier this year, we asked candidates to fill out our comprehensive policy questionnaire (see below), and our chapters around the state held forums to get to know the candidates better. Over the past two weeks, we asked our members for their recommendation in each of the three races, and we set a high threshold of 60% to make sure that we have a strong consensus before getting involved in a race.

(Note: This page was updated in October 2018 to include post-primary endorsements of Senator Elizabeth Warren and AG Maura Healey.)

Senator: Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren needs no introduction, so let's get straight to what our members saying.

“Elizabeth Warren has been a champion in Washington for all in a very dark and scary time in U.S politics. Her voice, her actions and her persistence are needed now more than ever.”

“MA voters should know that Senator Warren has our back.” 

“Senator Warren is a leader for government of the people, by the people and for the people. She stands up to wealthy corporations (who are not people) and the oligarchs who are continuing to strangle democracy in the United States.”

Governor: Jay Gonzalez

At Saturday’s MA Republican Convention, Republican Governor Charlie Baker showed--yet again--how he isn’t that different from his Republican friends in Washington.

In his convention speech, Baker touted his support for a Trumpian mass deportation agenda, racist and misguided policies that have fueled mass incarceration, and a vision for the state that leaves behind the most underserved communities so that millionaires and billionaires have the money to buy their sixth private jet.

Republican Governor Charlie Baker has fought to roll back the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, promoted the development of new dirty fossil fuel pipelines across the state, and attacked the unions and public services that make our state strong.

We can do better. We need to do better.

We need allies in the Corner Office who believe in building upon past health care reforms to build a truly universal single payer health care system, in fighting for workers and supporting a $15 minimum wage and paid family and medical leave, in crafting a fair tax system, in transitioning our economy away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy, in investing in the public education and public transit systems that are the bedrocks of our economy, in taking additional steps to reform our criminal justice system, in making Massachusetts a state where immigrants and families can live their lives without the daily fear of deportation, in making sure all Massachusetts residents are treated with dignity and respect, and in ensuring that our democracy is one in which all voices are heard and not drowned out by big money.

We are proud to endorse Jay Gonzalez for Governor.

Here’s what some of our members said about Jay:

"Jay Gonzalez has the experience, knowledge and understanding about state government to implement and enact our vision for our future." -- Caroline

"I’m so excited to support Jay Gonzalez! Too often, we face mediocre leadership in Massachusetts. I’m all in to unseat Charlie Baker this fall, and Jay is the progressive voice to beat Baker. From early education to gender equity and transportation to safe communities, he brings the leadership and vision the Commonwealth needs." -- Denise

“As the former Secretary of Administration and Finance under Deval Patrick and a successful healthcare CEO, Jay Gonzalez has the necessary experience to both do the job well and effectively critique the poor management performance of our do nothing Governor Charlie Baker. But most importantly Jay is genuine and present with people and will represent ALL the people of Massachusetts with compassion and love.” -- Susan K

Lieutenant Governor: Quentin Palfrey

A progressive Governor needs a progressive Lieutenant Governor to serve as an ally, someone who can be an effective liaison to the Legislature and to the cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

We are proud to endorse Quentin Palfrey for Lieutenant Governor.

Here’s what some of our members said about Quentin:

“Quentin Palfrey has a great mix of energy and experience, and would make a fantastic Lt. Gov. He is a strong organizer with the right priorities of health care and inequality.” -- Andrew

“Quentin Palfrey's laser focused on the single most important issue facing Massachusetts: tackling income inequality to make a more fair society.” -- Bryan

Secretary of the Commonwealth: Josh Zakim

At the Massachusetts Democratic convention one month from today, there will be another race up for a vote: Secretary of the Commonwealth. This race can often fly under the radar, but it is an important one, with power over election administration, campaign finance, public records, and even the census.

In Attorney General Maura Healey, we have a statewide official who takes on a leadership role and sets an example for other states. We need a Secretary who will exhibit such bold, progressive leadership as well.

We are proud to endorse Josh Zakim for Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Here’s what our members are saying about Josh:

"Josh Zakim brings a fresh perspective along with a passion for modernizing our democratic institutions to expand participation and transparency." -- Ziba

“Massachusetts’ election laws & public records laws are out-of-date, lagging behind many less progressive states. While other states laws were updated to improve citizens’ access to their government—MA laws vigorously reinforce the status quo. It's time for the fresh leadership that Josh Zakim will bring.” -- Lisa

Attorney General: Maura Healey

Our members voted to endorse Maura Healey four years. In the four years since, she has continued to impress with her committed advocacy for LGBTQ rights, civil rights, reproductive rights, environmental protection, and corporate accountability. A true People's Attorney, she's been one of the most vocal and most active attorneys general in the country at suing the Trump administration (not that she wasn't doing great work before).

We are proud to endorse Maura Healey for Attorney General.

Here's what our members are saying about Maura:

“Absolutely the people's attorney... She is a great watchdog for the people and a great bull dog against President Trump and his policies.”

“Maura Healey has been in the forefront of the resistance to the Trump administrating since the first day.”

“Among the leaders in holding pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for the opioid crisis.”

Dates to Know

CHECK OUR ELECTIONS CALENDAR FOR UPDATES/INFO

• Mass Dems Caucuses: Saturday, February 3, 2018, to Sunday, March 4, 2018
• Mass Dems Convention: Friday, June 1, 2018 - Saturday, June 2, 2018
• Primary: Tuesday, September 4, 2018
• General: Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Meet the Candidates

Governor's Race 🗳

progressivemass.com/questionnaire-gov-pdf

Print out and bring with you to meetings, events, other opportunities for issue-and candidate engagement. 

PDFs are hypertext navigable (on handheld devices, best results with the Adobe pdf-viewer app).

• Questionnaire with All Responses from All Gov. Candidates (one document) (PDF, 57pp)
  • Print, browse, bring to events, refer back, share! 
  • Share URL: progressivemass.com/questionnaire-gov-pdf

• INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRES
  • Jay Gonzalez's questionnaire. (PDF, 33pp) -- ENDORSED
    
  • Bob Massie's questionnaire. (PDF, 35pp)
  • Setti Warren's questionnaire. (PDF, 31pp)

Lt Governor's Race 🗳

• Quentin Palfrey's questionnaire -- ENDORSED
• Jimmy Tingle's questionnaire

Secretary of State Race 🗳

• Josh Zakim's questionnaire -- ENDORSED
• No questionnaire has been submitted by Secretary Bill Galvin.
  

Our Endorsement Process

We believe it is important to get candidates on record, so we invited all candidates to fill out our comprehensive policy questionnaire (see above). Our chapters around the state held forums to get to meet the candidates and ask them even more questions.

We then invited our paid members to vote on whom, and whether, we should endorse. Members had the option of choosing to vote to endorse, vote to not endorse, or vote to abstain. Candidates needed at least 60% of all ballots submitted in their respective race to secure an endorsement.