Mary Ellen, my wife, is the most important person in my life. She supports me when I dive in over my head, she pulls me back from the ledge, her love makes me want to make a difference in the world.
When I started this race, Mary Ellen and I made a pact with each other. If it got to be too much, for either of us, emotionally or financially, we would pull out of the race. We came to that point this weekend.
And so, I am officially announcing that I will not seek the nomination to be the Democratic candidate for State Representative. I would like to thank you for your support over these past few weeks and let you know that you helped keep me going as long as I did.
All is not ashes, however. Just because I’m not running anymore doesn’t mean that I won’t be involved. I am still very interested in keeping the 32nd Middlesex squarely in the Democratic column. For that reason, I am endorsing Katherine Clark for the Democratic nomination.
I knew Katherine was a strong progressive from her run for State Senator in 2004, but passion and drive are sometimes hard to guage in local races. I met Katherine in person this past Wednesday, and I have no doubts that she is as passionate about the issues facing Melrose and Wakefield as I am.
From meeting Katherine Clark, I knew that if it came time to leave the race, that the district would still be in very good hands. She has my enthusiastic endorsement, and I will be working hard over the next few months to make sure that she is elected to the House of Representatives.
Please come out to Katherine’s kick-off gala tonight at the VFW Hall at 428 Main Street in Melrose. It begins at 6:00 pm, and features the Commonwealth’s Attorney General Martha Coakley.
Thank you again for your support, and I urge you to support Katherine Clark.
Jeffrey Carter Gilson
Melrose, MA
You were a wonderful candidate for a short period of time, and it is great that you have given your support an equally progressive candidate. Go Katherine!