My Thanks

I wanted to post this for all of you who have been so supportive of my Exploratory Committee and its efforts in the past few weeks.

I had a wonderful time traveling the district talking with supporters, friends and voters but I have decided not to be a candidate for Congress in the special election in the 5th congressional district.

It is a difficult decision but one that I am confident is the right one. I issued the following statement earlier today, but I wanted you to hear it directly from me.

I have spoken with most of the candidates in this race and wished them all the best of luck. Please stay involved in this election and others. It is only by getting involved and staying involved that we can help to change the priorities of our country and our commonwealth.

I look forward to this race and making sure that the candidates speak to the issues that are important in this district – all of the 29 communities.

Thank you again for your support and friendship.

As ever,

Steve Kerrigan

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STATEMENT OF STEPHEN J. KERRIGAN

CONCERNING SPECIAL ELECTION IN

5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the people of my home town and Congressional District in the Congress of the United States would be the honor of a lifetime, but it wouldn’t be my only blessing. I am fortunate and proud to have served alongside of such great public servants as Tom Reilly and Ted Kennedy and to have served my neighbors as a selectman and finance committee member in Lancaster. I have a great career, wonderful family, amazing friends and loyal supporters.

I look forward to the next chapter of my life but it will have to be as a private citizen, for now. In the past few weeks, I’ve had the great experience of traveling the district, meeting with so many people and hearing their support and encouragement.

It is after much thought and discussion with those closest to me that I have decided I will not be a candidate for Congress in this special election.

As a citizen, I look forward to the debate over the issues most important to the 5th Distrtict, Massachusetts and the nation. As a voter, I am eager to decide which candidate I will support. I wish all of the candidates luck but challenge them to make sure this campaign is one of issues and substance. There is too much at stake for the district to allow the decision over whom to send to Congress to devolve into name calling, mudslinging and bitter attacks. It is vital that the Democrats keep this seat in Congress.

We have a great chance to change the priorities of this country and the Commonwealth, and we, as voters, deserve only the best most dedicated public servant. I stand ready to work with whomever the Democratic Party nominates to send to Washington as a true representative of all the people of the 5th Congressional District. There are 29 communities in the district and each one deserves special attention and commitment.

I know we will all be proud of the representative we elect to send to Congress because they will represent the diverse viewpoints and distinct communities of the 5th District.