Fourth District Congressman Barney Frank today endorsed the candidacy of Niki Tsongas, dean of Middlesex Community College, for the U.S. Congress seat currently held by Marty Meehan. Rep. Meehan has announced that he will resign in July to become Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the primary election will be held on Tuesday, September 4.
“Niki Tsongas is superbly qualified to be a member of Congress,” said Congressman Barney Frank. “You are going to have a chance in this election to show the country that people in America want to see the kind of change that Niki Tsongas is talking about and that she is going to bring: that we want to see a withdrawal from the war in Iraq; that we want to see the government continue to firm up programs like Medicare.”
Congressman Frank added, “This is going to be an election which is going to get national attention. It is going to be a chance for people here in this District to show America that we want change; that the election of 2006 was not a fluke, though it was a harbinger of things to come. There is no better way to do that than by electing Niki Tsongas.”
“I am so pleased to have earned the support of Congressman Barney Frank, an effective and experienced Congressman whose leadership has benefited not only the residents of Massachusetts, but has made a difference nationally as well,” said Tsongas. “In Congress, I will be a strong advocate for fairness, equality and civil rights?values Barney has championed for two decades, and principles I have pursued throughout my life.”
Tsongas and Frank have known each other for many years and met recently to discuss her candidacy and the issues that are fundamental to the people of the Fifth District and Massachusetts.
During the event today, Tsongas and Congressman Frank heard from seniors at the Concord Park Independent and Assisted Living Neighborhood about issues important to them and their families. Concord Park is sponsored by the not-for-profit Volunteers of America-Massachusetts, which has a 100-year history as a nonprofit provider of quality, affordable housing and care for seniors.
“I’ve spoken with senior citizens throughout the Fifth District who have shared with me the importance of safeguarding the commitment of Social Security and Medicare and ensuring that these programs are available to future generations,” Tsongas added. “For 70 years, Social Security has meant independence for generations of Americans. I am absolutely committed to strengthening and modernizing Social Security so that our national contract with America’s workers endures for generations to come.”
Barney Frank has been in Congress since 1981. He is the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee. Previously he was a Massachusetts State Representative and an assistant to the Mayor of Boston. He has also taught at several Boston area universities.
That Barney also endorsed Deb Goldberg for Lt. Governor in the Democratic primary last year. The point, of course, is that I’ m not sure his endorsement necessarily carries that much weight by itself: Niki will have to do her own lifting.
I ran into her at the Convention last month and she said she was generally “busy,” but failed to elaborate.
…but it is an impressive endorsement, nonetheless, from one of Massachusetts’ most revered liberal lawmakers. You are of course correct that she will have to do her own heavy lifting, but endorsements of this type do add a certain amount of crediblity to any young campaign.
Bluetoo:
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Which voting blocks in the 5th District are going to be influenced by this endorsement?
Umm…no. I think I said it was an impressive endorsement. We all know that endorsements only mean so much, but they do add momentum and credibility to a campaign, especially coming from someone who is as respected as is Barney Frank.
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There are several excellent candidates in this race…it’s sort of an embarrassment of riches. For those on the fence or having difficulty deciding which way to go, endorsements like this can sometimes tip the scales. That’s the point I was making.
and adds nothing to campaign except a morale booster for volunteers.
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I am sure Nikki and Barney are friends from way back. So good for Barney. It is not in his district.
I am sorry to see that Massachusett’s most liberal Congressman is endorsing the establishment candidate instead of the most progressive, Jamie Eldridge.
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I’m also disappointed to see one of the very first out of the closet gay office holders endorse an opponent of Jamie, who has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality.
Michael, You shouldn’t be disappointed. Just a thought: Niki may or may not be the “most” progressive, but she is very progressive and Barney Frank would not endorse just “an establishment candidate.” Perhaps Frank has been discriminated against long enough to value the possibility of having gender diversity in our congressional delegation. Perhaps he sees how smart she is and that she has done and overcome hard things in her life that mark her as a fighter and a winner. Perhaps, having known her for a while, he sees a terrific Democrat with core values that will make a difference in how she performs in Congress. Perhaps he has been around enough to know what it takes to have a “progressive” impact where it counts. Perhaps this endorsement deserves from some progressives less dismissive and defensive reaction and more thought and reflection.
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Just a thought.
I am sorry to see that Massachusett’s most liberal Congressman is endorsing the establishment candidate instead of the most progressive, Jamie Eldridge.
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I’m also disappointed to see one of the very first out of the closet gay office holders endorse an opponent of Jamie, who has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality.
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These are my thoughts, too.
perhaps frank will teach her the difference between blogs and press releases…