With only a few weeks left in this whirlwind special election campaign, I wanted to reach out the BMG community, let you know what’s been going on, and ask for you to join the campaign to ensure this seat has a strong progressive voice in it for years to come!
Earlier this week, I was honored to attend an event hosted by the most important progressive leaders in the state legislature in support of my campaign. The event was hosted by dozens of State Senators and State Reps and advocates (for a full list click here) who are on the front lines of the fights for economic and social justice and our progressive values.
Senator Jamie Eldridge from Acton talked about the impact of our work as leaders in the progressive caucus, and Senator Dan Wolf from the Cape talked about the importance of having another effective progressive leader working side by side with them. I have worked closely with them from the House side, and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support during this campaign, to help me to continue that work as the newest progressive State Senator.
Finally, I announced a couple weeks ago the endorsement of Mass Alliance – the most important coalition of progressive organizations in Massachusetts addressing a wide range of critical concerns. I look forward to working side by side with them and their members as well, as progressive movements are most successful working both within the legislature, but also with strong principled advocacy from outside.
A little bit about me and what I’m working for:
I was first elected State Representative for Stoneham and Winchester in 2008, and in that role I have worked with constituents, advocates, and other legislators to deliver results for my communities and fight for progressive values on Beacon Hill. I’m proud to have helped create the first in the nation Prevention and Wellness Trust and played a leadership role in the house on issues of public health and healthcare finance. I am especially proud to be the lead sponsor of the Single Payer Bill and I will continue to work for that in the years to come.
I come from a business background, so I know firsthand that investing in our workforce is the surest way to have an economy which allows more people to gain economic security and thrive. I am the lead sponsor of the earned sick time legislation, have been outspoken in support of increasing the minimum wage to at least $11/hour and indexing it to inflation, and I oppose any cuts to reduce unemployment insurance. I also am a firm believer in the value of labor unions and the right of collective bargaining, and so I am proud to be endorsed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, SEIU Local 509, and the Laborers’ Local 22 in this election.
I ran for office for the first time because I believe that all students in the commonwealth should have access to a high quality public education, including universal pre-K, early childhood education, higher education, and adult continuing education. So, I am the lead sponsor of legislation to review and update the Chapter 70 education funding formula to make it more adequate and equitable for all communities and all students.
I know we need more revenue to fund these priorities, and I believe that the best way to do this is to support a more progressive tax system to ensure that the very wealthy and big corporations pay more of their fair share. So, I support a constitutional amendment for a progressive income tax, and am a sponsor of An Act to Invest in Our Communities which would increase the income tax rate while increasing the personal exemption so that low and moderate income families would not see an increase in their taxes. (I voted in favor of the revenue package proposed by the house last year, which was inadequate, but all that we could pass at that time – just as the Senate package was inadequate. But I have been on record from the beginning of my tenure advocating for the need for more revenue in a progressive manner, and I will continue working to achieve that in the future.)
I believe that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect and should have full equal protections before the law. (I actually grew up in South Africa during Apartheid, so equal rights and protections for all is non-negotiable for me.) I was a strong and active supporter of the transgender equal rights bill and believe that the law needs to be expanded to include protections for public accommodations. I am also staunchly pro-choice and am proud to be endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice MA.
What it at stake in this race could not be clearer because there are real important issues facing our Commonwealth – increasing the minimum wage, protecting unemployment insurance, generating revenue in a progressive way, ensuring equal rights and dignity for everyone in Massachusetts regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, immigration status, or reliance on social welfare programs! I have been on the front lines of these fights along with many of you, and I am asking for your support because my main opponent has far too often been on the opposite side – standing with Scott Brown and the Republicans time and time again.
Please visit my campaign website www.electjasonlewis.com and join the campaign. The Democratic primary is only 25 days away on March 4th, and I can’t do this without you!
Beyond all the reasons Jason has cited for why he’s the experienced, stand out progressive candidate in this race, I gotta say he’s one of the hardest working candidates I’ve ever volunteered for. Rain or shine, he’s out there knocking on doors himself and meeting voters in the community any way he can. And that’s been his MO in the legislature, as well, where his list of accomplishments is really impressive considering he’s been in office 5 years.
A hardworking candidate with a strong platform inspires volunteers to do more, which I can attest that he definitely has in Malden.
Come join us –> http://electjasonlewis.com/volunteer/
I enjoy Blue Mass and don’t post much. Here’s the deal in the 5th Middlesex State Senate Special Election. Jason Lewis is the only candidate who can win the primary and general election.
The Stoneham Dem Committee is unanimous in its endorsement of Jason. It was also unanimous in Congressman Clark’s support. We were lucky to have her as our State Senator. Katherine Clark accomplished more in her first two years as State Senator than her Republican predecessor did in 20 years in office. It is critical that we elect a strong progressive Dem who can win the general election. Thus, Jason Lewis is the solution for State Senator.
I am the volunteer treasurer of the Stoneham Dem Town Committee. I am also Jason’s volunteer campaign treasurer because he was among those who resuscitated the progressive caucus in the House. Look at the endorsements!
Jason is the only candidate who runs strong in every community in the district.
The 5th Middlesex should support someone who can win the Mar 4th primary and the Apr 1st general election. Only Jason has the resources and support to do both.
Thank you
You remind me of WoburnDem insisting we just have to forgive Coajlry, accept her coronation and move on. But primaries are healthy for our democracy and I believe that Anthony Guardia with strong Wakefield, Melrose, and Malden roots who actually endorsed Clark in the primary and has worked with her throughout her career-including when they were both on their towns respective school committees-is best equipped to continue her fights in the State Senate.
Lewis followed the leader voting against more revenue, against the governor on public housing for immigrants, and against the gas tax increase. We need a progressive who can win and govern in a progressive way and take the tough votes when they have to. Guardia took really tough votes on the Wakefield School Committee and has a local perspective.
Lewis had his kick off party at a Boston restaurant voted by Boston Magazine as the new power lunch location for Boston’s elite. Guardia had his open to the entire community in his hometown in the district. His hometown is the center of the district and adjacent to all the communities around it and he has deep roots and local connections there.
We will all happily back Jason if he wins the nomination. But Anthony has a right to run, brings a younger perspective more attuned to local needs and will really fight for these communities and the progressive causes Congresswoman Clark fought for in the State Senate. He has backed every single one of her campaigns, and was there when she lost and when she won and will keep carrying on her fights now that she is in Congress.
…to suggest the commenter thought Guardia shouldn’t even run.
jconway: Not that this is the most important issue by far in this race, but I just wanted to correct an inaccuracy in your comment above…
Jason Lewis did not have his campaign kickoff event at a Boston restaurant. He had a fundraiser in Boston on February 4 — where he was endorsed by a who’s who of progressive elected leaders from throughout the state:
http://vps28478.inmotionhosting.com/~bluema24/2014/02/join-me-with-progressive-leaders-from-across-ma-tonight/
Jason actually had 2 campaign kickoff events — both of which were open to the public and held in venues that were either offices or pubs:
(1) December 17 at JJ Grimsby & Co. Restaurant and Pub in Stoneham
https://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=311994745879&r=111
(2) January 11 at his campaign HQ office in downtown Malden at 422 Main Street — which just so happens to be the same space where Katherine Clark had her primary Congressional campaign office, so we obviously like the karma 🙂
http://www.wickedlocal.com/x1903523776/Rep-Lewis-hosting-Malden-HQ-kickoff
…And glad to hear you’ll be supporting Jason when he wins the primary on March 4. With all your criticism of Jason and surprisingly noticeably less criticism of the DINO, anti-choice, lousy constituent service, I-heart-Scott-Brown-so-much Chris Fallon, I had kinda started to wonder…
I’ve consistently said Lewis would be better than Fallon and that they are two solid social progressives in the race, neither of whom is named Charlie Fallon. Anthony Guardia, a protege of Katherine Clark, has consistently fought for women’s rights and LGBTQ rights and as the son of immigrants will fight for their rights as well. Fallon has consistently set back the rights of all three. There is no doubt who the most regressive candidate in the race is. That is ny what this post discussed. It argued that Lewis is the only progressive in the race capable of winning. A statement I find inaccurate and condescending. To keep things civil I’ll just say I happen to think Guardia is a better fit for the district for a few reasons:
-Transit,education, and healthcare are the three most important issues facing our state
-Anthony Guardia is the only candidate who has consistently supported the Governors revenue package which will ensure we have the funds to meet these priorities, both of his opponents voted against it in the House. Like Katherine Clark he will vote for it in the Senate
-Like Katherine Clark, Anthony was a School committee rep and knows first hand that we need to reform education findig in this state to ensure all our communities get the funding they need-not just the wealthiest
-Anthony Guardia wants to implement VT style single payer and will fight for that in the State Senate
-He also wants to look closely at OR style higher ed reform and is the only candidate talking about reducing the cost of higher ed and reforming our state colleges
-Only candidate talking about increasing funding and improving vocational ed
-Only candidate with a real plan to tackle homelessness statewide and actually end it rather than shifting the populations to Western MA
-only candidate with direct social service and non profit experience
He brings youthful energy, experience in local government and the non-profit sector, willingness to embrace new ideas, independence from broken Beacon Hill leadership, and is unafraid to challenge the status quo and entrenched incumbents in either party. Only candidate to consistently support Katherine Clark.
He is the revenue candidate, the education candidate, the immigrants candidate, the labor candidate, and the most electable progressive candidate for the primary and the general.
I am sure there is plenty of good karma in that office. When I was there this summer it was busy with people busting their ass for Katherine.
Good karma is awesome in campaigns, hubris is an entirely different story and it appears to be more hubris in the Lewis campaign than karma.
Your comment above: “…and glad to hear you’ll be supporting Jason when he wins the primary on March 4” is pure hubris. I have heard that type of comment before from another in the Lewis camp, it annoyed me then and it annoys me still. It follows on the heels of the ‘Guardia is going to ruin it for the progressives, so he should get out and defer to Lewis’ crap that I heard from the Lewis camp last month – hubris.
Good karma is something you want to be part of, hubris not so much. So in 21 days, probably right about now, we’ll know who will have won the primary. And if the Lewis is fortunate enough to win, you guys are going to need to muster every resource, line up every activist, and get every check so you beat the general election opponent. So ask yourself this question: How much do you think the hubris displayed during the primary is going to help you in that effort?