There has been a lot of good natured back and forth between Guardia and Lewis supporters over who can best beat Fallon in the primary and continue Katherine Clark’s legacy in the general and as Senator. I would say the key Guardia difference is on the following lines:
While the other candidates bailed on the last debate, Guardia still showed up to Malden and answered voters questions and laid out his case. He is taking no voter for granted and vows to represent ALL the communities in the district.
From his appearance:
Two prior debates, one in Wakefield on February 11, and the other in Winchester on February 18, were held as scheduled. Guardia excelled in each debate, refusing to stray from the issues, while his opponents got personal.
“This type of bickering will not solve the issues we are confronting. It will not help the unemployed or underemployed. It will not help children access early education or students afford higher education. It will not help our seniors stay independent. It only furthers the unacceptable status quo. Moving away from this type of politics is the type of change we need.”
Guardia has visited thousands of homes in the district. He hears similar sentiments at each door.
“People are worried about higher education costs, retirement and taxes,” Guardia said. ” I am committed to addressing issues that affect citizens’ quality of life by changing the way things are done at the State House.”
Guardia believes that too many elected officials overlook the real struggles of their constituents.
“Right now, the status quo is not OK. If elected, I will fight to increase the minimum wage, have earned sick leave for all workers and increase networking opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed. I’ll work to ensure that Massachusetts has early childhood education, reform how we fund local aid – giving our communities the resources they need to be successful – and I will find innovative ways to control college costs. Finally, I’ll make sure our seniors have the support they need so they can stay independent as long as possible,” Guardia said during the Winchester debate.
The Other Big Difference:
-He is a proud liberal on all the issues and unafraid to call himself the liberal candidate
-Only candidate with a consistent history of campaigning for Katherine Clark at all levels, best candidate to continue her legacy
-Only candidate with experience running a non profit and in local government, knows how devastating cuts can be to our most vulnerable and will fight to reform local aid and raise the revenue needed to protect services and pensions
-Lastly, he is a down to Earth guy, young with new ideas, and incredibly civil and engaging
He is taking no vote for granted. He has knocked on doors in every community in the district and in spite of being out funded and out endorsed, he is not out manned. He has committed volunteers all across the district and the momentum is with him. No cancelled debate or robo call will deter him from continuing this fight. His first priority is the district and making sure it and the state get the revenue to fund the services that are vital to it’s future.
Team Guardia just learned that Anthony has won several important union endorsements from SEIU/NAGE National Association of Government Employees, BTU Boston Teachers Union and AFT American Federation of Teachers.
Keep fighting, Anthony! “Fight them to the end until the children of the poor eat better than the dogs of the rich.” ANON
“Capital is the fruit of labor and could never have existed if labor had not existed first! Labor is the superior of capital and deserves much the higher consideration.” PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Fred Rich LaRiccia
Guardia for State Senate Committee
Campaign Chair
The AFT has not yet endorsed in the fifth Middlesex State Senate race.
Please accept my apology.
Fred Rich LaRiccia
Guardia for State Senate Committee
Campaign Chair
Your immediate correction and apology also demonstrate Anthony’s commitment to civility and positive campaigning. He has avoided a lot of the personal attacks and acrimony his two opponents engaged in the last two debates, and he kept his Malden commitment while they backed out. It may be why labor is starting to move his way.
With respect, your comments seem to boil down to “Anthony Guardia is civil, showed up, and espouses many values and goals that we progressives can get behind.” No argument there, but I question whether these are real differentiators from Lewis. Many progressives I admire chose not to endorse in the Clark race. Lewis has kept the campaign civil, it seems to me. His criticisms of Fallon aren’t personal and he started door knocking throughout the district well before Guardia announced. Re: the Malden debate, I also wish it had come off as planned. I heard Fallon refused to appear, so Lewis cancelled, not wanting a debate without all 3 candidates. As for endorsements, the MTA and several different SEIU groups have recently endorsed Lewis.
Lewis has been running a front runners campaign. Canceling the debate was a cheap move. And I would argue they both did since Anthony’s support has only been growing since the debates and throughout the race. Tons of Guardia stickers at the Malden BJ’s over the weekend, he is winning the sign primary in Melrose, Wakefield and even Malden. He has door knocked in every community and his support and funds come from individuals and grassroots activists. He is also winning union endorsements as well.
The papers seem to indicate that Fallon and Lewis have really gone negative against one another, Guardia is focused on spreading word about his own record and plans for the future-not tearing anybody down.
I’m sure the people planning on attending were happy a candidate showed up and took their questions. Guardia has learned the Tip O’Neil lesson by focusing on local issues in the district first, emphasizing his local roots and local record at the town level, and making sure every voter has a good interaction with him even if they are with someone else. There were hands to be shook, questions to answer and impressions to be made in Malden. You don’t get any of these things if you don’t show up.
Re: the sign war in Malden at least, let’s be very clear: Fallon is winning by a mile. Just go walk through downtown. ::shrug:: Signs (and stickers) don’t vote, voters do.
Re: the Malden debate — Your comments are pretty ironic considering Guardia was the only one of the three candidates who didn’t stay to speak to a full house of Malden Dems at our caucus on Feb 15. Lewis and Fallon both spoke, but Guardia left early with no explanation.
Finally, I would very much dispute that Lewis is “tearing anybody down.” Rather he is critiquing Fallon’s record and contrasting it with his own, and he has done so factually and politely. This is the essence of what a political campaign should be when there are strong differences between candidates — and many voters I’ve spoken with have appreciated getting information about the real contrast in this race since many voters have long been unaware of Fallon’s conservative record.
That Fallon has reacted with anger and defensiveness at being challenged so tamely is not Jason’s doing, it’s Fallon’s choice.
Anthony Guardia today announced the endorsement of AFT American Federation of Teachers, a member of AFL-CIO.
Congratulations, Anthony ! Keep ’em cumin !
Fred Rich LaRiccia
Guardia for State Senate
Campaign Chair
The working and middle class is getting revived! He has teachers, pipefitters, and some state employees in the SEIU chapter he got. Glad to see labor moving Anthony’s way. He is the only candidate who has had to vote for tough layoffs and the only one who understands the real pain of local aid cuts with a plan to restore and reform it. Only one talking about concrete plans to reform higher ed, vocational ed, and job training for the unemployed. Only one talking about revitalizing and harnessing the non profit sector as a partner. Only one focused on transit, housing costs, ending homelessness and helping seniors and immigrants. Guardia is a classic New Deal Democrat helping revive this tradition-let’s send a fighter to Beacon Hill!