Hello all!
On Thursday September 6th any BMGers in the 2nd Essex State Senate District (Danvers, Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield) will have the option of four Democratic candidates seeking our vote for state Senator. There is no question that the candidate that most represents the values of the Democratic Party is John Slattery.
Mr. Slattery has a long and impressive record of fighting for working families and progressive causes. He is the only candidate in the race who has been able to speak with detailed knowledge on issues as wide ranging as the MBTA budget crises, the cost of higher education in Massachusetts, and the impact of Keenan amendment that would have forced local ratepayers to purchase energy from the Footprint facility in Salem even if Footprints rates are above market price. While this effort at corporate socialism was thankfully rejected it was a topic of discussion long enough to highlight a clear policy difference as Mr. Slattery’s opponent, Joan Lovely, unfortunately pledged to support locking in ratepayers to bear the burden of protecting Footprint from market forces.
As a former state Representative Mr. Slattery is the only candidate in the race with legislative experience, he will be able to hit the ground running on day one. This will be a huge benefit to the people of the 2nd Essex that will be losing a three decade legislative powerhouse with the retirement of Senator Fred Berry. The retirement of Sen. Berry will be a bit of a body blow to the 2nd Essex and we can’t afford to elect someone that will need on the job training. During his time as a state Representative Mr. Slattery was able to build coalitions and relationships that led to Mr. Slattery taking the lead in getting the 1998 assault weapons bill passed.
Mr. Slattery’s long standing support of working families has led to endorsements by several local police and firefighters Unions as well as the backing of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and the Massachusetts Nurses Association. He has pledged to be a voice for students and their parents who are struggling to pay for higher education. Mr. Slattery will also ensure that the MBTA will not balance their budget on the backs of those that can afford it the least – working families and senior citizens.
For more information on John Slattery the Salem News recently published a fantastic biographical article that I hope you all take a look at: http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1011133334/Slattery-wants-to-look-out-for-middle-class
None of the other candidates in the race have displayed the commitment to true Democratic values that Mr. Slattery has and I urge all of you that live in the 2nd Essex to vote for John Slattery on Thursday September 6th. That being said, as turn out is going to be unfortunately low on Thursday I hope you all vote no matter who your candidate is as your vote will count a lot relative to the tiny numbers that will be showing up. Get out and vote!
judy-meredith says
I really appreciated his smart and savvy work as a State Rep … still miss him as a champion of working people.,
Excellent post, excellent point below………….. copied from above
striker57 says
John Slattery’s record of support for Workers and the Middle Class is unmatched in this race. My Union endorsed him for State Senate the day he announced and we will have volunteers on the streets tomorrow.
hlpeary says
The Boston Globe said it was a tough call as there were two superior candidates in this field of four. I am joining current State Senator Fred Berry, former State Senator Jack King, former State Rep. Sally Kerans, Mayor Kim Driscoll and the Salem News in strongly endorsing Salem City Councillor, Atty. Joan Lovely for State Senate. Countless community leaders have come forward to support Joan because she has a record and reputation for doing the hard work for so many people…in between elections, not just before elections.
Sen. Berry explained his decision in a released statement and message to the voters of his district, it was not apparently a tough call for him: “To be effective in the State Senate requires a combination of experience, intelligence and the ability to work with others to solve problems for the people you represent. I have known the candidates seeking this office for many years. I have had the opportunity to speak with them and observe their campaigns. Each has specific skills to offer. But, I believe City Councilor Joan Lovely has the attributes needed to most effectively serve the people of the 2nd Essex District. As an 8-term city councilor and longtime community leader, Joan knows what local communities need from the state government. She has demonstrated both compassion and political courage in dealing with tight municipal budgets and providing vital services to her community. Her experience as a city councilor, and an attorney, and combined with her community work with local business, senior citizens, schools and veterans will make her a strong State Senator.”
“ I have been reflecting on this election for many weeks. I am concerned that Joan Lovely’s two opponents would have difficulty being effective for all people in this district. One candidate appears to have sold his soul to the unions. In these tough times, with the tough problems we face, it is important for a Senator to consider many opinions. It is important to have unions’ opinions at the table, but it should not be just union opinions being heard. And the other candidate has a history of caring more about finding fault with others than working with others to find solutions to serious problems.”
“Joan Lovely’s hard work and perseverance have earned my respect and the respect of her community. Joan Lovely always gives 100% to achieve positive results and she will be a State Senator that Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield can always count on to work hard for them at the State House. I will cast my vote for Joan Lovely to become the next State Senator for the 2nd Essex.”
Joan Lovely is a progressive Democrat, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, anti-death penalty…she did not convert to those stands, she has always held them. Her work on behalf of veterans and seniors on the North Shore is respected and appreciated. She is supported by both union and non-union workers across the district and they will stand out and stand with her Thurs., Sept 6.
jconway says
Not my district but my dad’s side still lives there in Winter Island, Collins Cove and the Willows. The Keenan amendment is incredibly important to me, its important the plant stays shut and is not replaced by another. Its time we reopened that waterfront and cleaned the area up for revitalizing development. I will support any candidate that does this.
jasongwb says
I strongly doubt that many Union workers will be voting for Ms. Lovely tomorrow. As I am sure you know there are a laundry list of local Unions that have backed Mr. Slattery and there was a fantastically full Beverly campaign office filled with Union workers (and me!) calling voters for John Slattery tonight. You did not address a major point of my post, re: the keenan amendment, I bring this up as I would be curious to see how a Lovely supporter would defend this corporate give away. I am glad you at least pointed out that the Globe did NOT endorse Ms. Lovely as her campaign has been leaving literature on doors suggesting the Globe backed her instead of Mr. Slatterly. Thank you for taking the time to post your original article almost verbatim in my comments section though 🙂
hlpeary says
Joan Lovely won the Democratic Primary with about 52% of all votes cast in a 4 way contest. She outpolled all of her opponents combined. Congratulations to her. She won in 4 of the 5 communities…and even in Peabody, Slattery only polled 44% to Lovely’s 29% and Manning’s 25%…(both Slattery and Manning live in Peabody.)
Lesson learned: A door-to-door campaign starting in March and continuing right up to election day combined with a pledge not to take PAC $$ from any special interest group, including unions, BEATS an avalanche of direct mail from the MTA, SEIU, Police and Firefighters Unions. An endorsement by Sen. Fred Berry and other average citizens in the district BEATS robo calls from AFL-CIO’s Steve Tolman and Tim Sullivan.
I think the unions need to take a step back and reassess their strategies for winning elections. What they are doing is not working. There are ways to be more effective.