Yesterday I joined my friend Dave O’Brien in endorsing the campaign of Eileen Donoghue for Congress in the 5th District. We are fortunate in Massachusetts to have a great many people willing to serve in elected office, and since leaving the race myself nearly eight weeks ago, I have had the chance to watch the campaigns develop and take shape.
I hadn’t intended to endorse in this race but in the end when it comes to a campaign for the Congress of the United States I felt it was my responsibility to get into the game and offer my support and hard work for the person I feel is the best candidate for the job.
Dave and I both left the race for different reasons, but we are both proud to endorse Eileen for this seat.
As you all know, this is a difficult time in our country and we need an experienced leader in Congress representing the 5th district. We need a strong advocate for the issues that matter most to the people of our district. Eileen Donoghue has been a strong voice for the City of Lowell as mayor for two terms and as a city councilor, and she will be that voice in Washington.
Eileen is committed to working for the entire district and isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and get into the tough fights. She’s taking on the federal government’s refusal to fund mandates on our cities and towns, and pledging to fight for increased support for our troops when they return home from overseas. She understands the issues and is giving more than just lip service to the voters.
My interests are the same as the interests of the entire district. When I was in the race I worked hard to remind the other candidates that Lancaster was even a part of the district. I have never had to remind Eileen of that, then or now. I know that she will be a tireless fighter for the issues that matter to my region and to the entire district – education funding, COPS funding, support for a smart withdrawal from Iraq and support for our troops when they get home. These issues transcend geographic boundaries and go to the heart of who Eileen is as a person and who she will be as my Congresswoman.
I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about her campaign or wants to join Dave and I in supporting her to log on to her web page at www.eileendonoghue.com – there is a lot of work to be done and just under 11 weeks to do it. We need a Democratic nominee who is strong and determined to lead our district. Eileen is that candidate, she will be that nominee, and I look forward to seeing her working for all of us in Congress.
