(Bumped, and updated again. Rep. Donato has confirmed that he is not co-sponsoring S321, and that he opposes it. A small step in the right direction. - promoted by David)
Patrick McCabe, an SEIU organizer, military veteran, and graduate of West Point, today filed to run for State Representative in the 35th Middlesex District, which covers most of Medford, MA. McCabe will challenge incumbent Paul Donato in the Democratic primary next year. He will make his official announcement later this week.
Medford state rep Paul Donato has drawn the ire of many constituents by seeking to ban equal marriage, a position for which he recently drew fire at Medford High School: "I just feel that so much pain and suffering could be avoided with the power you have in your hands, you could save a lot of people a lot of suffering," a student said. Donato said he would stick to his vote. Donato is also anti-choice, and opposes funding stem cell research, and is a sponsor of this ridiculous legislation seeking to gag teachers [edit: he was listed as a sponsor but removed his name and says he will vote "no"] - all positions out of step with today's Massachusetts. And although he justified his vote for banning marriage by saying we should let the people vote, he voted against putting the health care amendment on the ballot, showing that he doesn't actually believe that argument and is willing to vote his opinion: against allowing same-sex marriage, and against the health care amendment.
I spoke to Patrick McCabe today, and he's looking forward to bringing these issues to the voters of Medford. I'm an organizing director with SEIU. I work all day encouraging people to stand up for their rights and for the rights of others. The equality issue is the biggest one that inspired me to run. Patrick McCabe was born in neighboring Somerville, to a working class family; his grandparents were in Medford. He worked three jobs growing up, then went to West Point because "I wanted to go somewhere where they teach leadership." After graduating, he served seven years in the Army, as a Ranger and then a company commander in the 101st Airborne in Kosovo. He went on tour with his wife in the USO, entertaining the troops for a couple of years, before returning to Medford. He now works as Organizing and Communications Director for SEIU local 1984. McCabe is running to support health care, higher education, and other things important to working families. He is pro-choice, pro-equality, and supports funding stem cell research. |
