Markey’s campaign launches advisory councils
BOSTON — The Markey for Senate campaign announced the formation of five community advisory councils aimed toward giving leaders from across Massachusetts a role in shaping the campaign’s priorities, outreach and engagement.
The Latino, Black, AAPI, LGBTQ+ and Youth advisory councils bring together state legislators, municipal officials, labor leaders, clergy, nonprofit advocates, community organizers and students from across the state. Advisory council members have already met with U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and the campaign on the issues affecting their communities.
“Every movement for progress begins with people organizing in their communities and demanding change,” Markey said in a statement. “My advisory councils are made up of exemplary leaders who do that work every day — in classrooms, union halls, houses of worship, community organizations and neighborhoods across Massachusetts. Their guidance, experience and perspectives will continue to help guide this campaign to confront the challenges facing working families, shape the priorities of this campaign and hold me accountable to the communities I serve.”
Council members will advise the campaign on policy priorities and messaging, guide outreach within their regions and constituencies, and serve as a standing channel between Massachusetts residents and the campaign.
Among Pioneer Valley advisory council members are Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, as well as Clark Thakuria of the UMass Amherst Democrats and Charles Walker-Hoover of the UMass Amherst NAACP. Comerford is serving on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, and Thakuria and Walker-Hoover are on the Youth Advisory Council.
Reproductive Freedom for All endorses Markey
BOSTON — Reproductive Freedom for All, a national reproductive freedom organization powered by 4.5 million members, has endorsed U.S. Sen. Ed Markey for reelection.
“Anti-abortion laws have put women’s health and lives in danger,” Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, said in a statement. “As Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans work to push our country even further backward, Sen. Ed Markey has remained a steadfast defender of abortion rights and contraception access. Ed will always fight to protect reproductive freedom and empower people to make decisions about their own body, health and future. Ed is the proven fighter we need in the Senate, and Reproductive Freedom for All is proud to endorse him for reelection.”
Markey thanked Reproductive Freedom for All for the endorsement.
“I am proud to earn the endorsement of Reproductive Freedom for All and its 4.5 million members,” Markey said in a statement. “The right to an abortion, the right to contraception and the right of every person to live with dignity are fundamental freedoms, and I will fight with everything I have to defend them and restore Roe nationwide.”
Three Berkshire County leaders endorse Fenton for Governor’s Council
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler and Berkshire County Clerk of Courts Lisa Denault-Viale endorsed Michael A. Fenton, a Springfield attorney and former Springfield City Council president, for the Massachusetts Governor’s Council District 8 seat on Wednesday.
District 8 covers 102 cities and towns in western Massachusetts, including all of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties, as well as a handful of municipalities in Worcester County. The Governor’s Council is an eight-member elected body that confirms the governor’s judicial appointments and appointments to statewide boards, including the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board and Industrial Accident Board. The council also reviews pardons and commutations.
“Berkshire County can’t be an afterthought when it comes to judicial appointments,” Shugrue said in a statement. “My office needs a full, qualified bench of judges to keep cases moving and hold offenders accountable. Mike Fenton will fight to make sure Berkshire County gets the attention it deserves so that we get Berkshire County judges.”
“The judges who come through our courts affect the population I’m responsible for every day,” Bowler said in a statement. “Public safety in Berkshire County depends on a judiciary that takes both accountability and successful reentry seriously. Mike Fenton understands that balance, and I’m proud to endorse him for Governor’s Council.”
“Mike understands the operational needs of our Berkshire County courts,” Denault-Viale. added. “He will fight for full funding and staffing in our Berkshire County courts.”
Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition endorses Markey
Members of the Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition overwhelmingly endorsed U.S. Sen. Ed Markey for Senate, with Markey receiving 89% of the total votes.
“Indivisible members throughout the commonwealth tell us they wholeheartedly support Sen. Markey,” Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition Chair Deb Paul said in a statement. “Indivisible grassroots volunteers are fired up to support the senator to win in the primary and in November. When we elect bold and progressive Democrats who roll up their sleeves and work on behalf of the people, the people win. We are voting for our rights, freedoms, to improve our democracy, and to secure a better, more affordable, healthier future for our children and all Americans.”
Wondolowski, Markey receive 32BJ SEIU endorsements
BOSTON — 32BJ SEIU, representing 190,000 janitors, security officers, airport workers and other essential workers in 12 states across the East Coast and Washington D.C., including 22,000 members in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, has endorsed Greenfield City Council President Lora Wondolowski in her bid to represent the 1st Franklin District on the state House of Representatives. Additionally, 32BJ SEIU endorsed U.S. Sen. Ed Markey for reelection.