Hank Naughton will not run for AG

I received the following email a short while ago:

Friends,

On Friday I attended the deployment ceremony for the 379th Engineer Company at Fort Devens. As I watched the soldiers prepare to depart, I thought back to the days following September 11, 2001, when I decided to join the United States Army Reserve.

I joined the Army to do my small part to protect our country and secure our Commonwealth; to do good on a broader basis, as a citizen soldier. The desire to do good on a broader basis has guided each step of my public service career, and this same goal guided my decision to run for Attorney General.  I knew that a statewide campaign would be extremely time consuming, but I also pledged to continue my commitment to my family, the Army Reserves and the House of Representatives.

Over the past several weeks, my duties with the United States Army Reserve have begun to require more and more time. As the war in Afghanistan enters its final stages, I have been assigned to the US Department of State Political-Military Bureau, working on Rule of Law and Status of Forces Agreements from my base here in Massachusetts. This obligation has come to require more and more of my nights and weekends.

At the same time, I am continuing to address critical issues at the State House, most prominently the gun safety legislation in front of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and the pending FY ‘15 Budget.  For nearly 20 years I have served the people of the 12th Worcester District, and I want to ensure they get the same level of representation from me today that they have for the past two decades.

The amount of time required to successfully perform my military duties, provide strong representation to the people the 12th Worcester District, and be a husband and dad, has made it impractical to continue my campaign for Attorney General. After long consideration with my wife Ellen and our children, I have decided to end my campaign for Attorney General and again seek the honor of representing the people of the 12th Worcester District in the House of Representatives.

This decision was not made easily, but there is only so much time in the day. Family, my military service and legislative experience have been the cornerstones of my campaign, and I cannot turn my back on these commitments now. It’s clear that what little free time I have should be spent in my district or with my family, and not campaigning across the state.

With challenges come opportunities. Changes in the legislature, including the retirements of Senator Brewer and Representative Peterson – two of the most senior members from Central Massachusetts – will leave a void of experience on Beacon Hill. I have always enjoyed my tenure in the House. If honored with reelection, I would be one of the most senior members of the Legislature west of the City of Boston. This experience and seniority would enhance my ability to represent the people of the 12th Worcester District, as well as the Central Massachusetts region.

One of the joys of the past several months has been meeting people from all across Massachusetts, many of whom have pledged to support my candidacy for Attorney General. To them, I extend my personal, sincere, everlasting gratitude. I will always seek ways to repay their kindness and affection, hopefully through my continued service.

I know some will be disappointed and others possibly angry with my decision. I apologize for that disappointment and anger, but know that this decision is based in the best interests of my family, the 12th Worcester District, and the Commonwealth and Country I so humbly serve.

Thank you for everything.

-Hank

The deadline has passed to declare candidacies so it looks like it is just Maura Healey and Warren Tolman for AG.

Please share widely!

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