Cape Cod Democrats don’t always get a lot of attention. It’s a lot of geography to cover for not as many voters as you can get to in a more defined area. That said, I always take the Howard Dean approach of you run everywhere, there is no such thing as a bad vote. Presidential election years have shown that there are Dem voters out there.
In 2004, First Barnstable elected Cleon Turner as the first Democrat to hold that seat. Representative Turner has been a tremendously dedicated public servant for 10 years, known for his diligence in reading the full text of every bill before the legislature. With his retirement, Democrats have nominated Elisa Zawadzkas, born and raised here, now a successful attorney. Elisa ran an amazing campaign, getting many new people involved in politics for the first time to support her and her grassroots candidacy. She is also active with the Cape Cod Young Professionals, a group that is trying hard to look at how we keep younger people on the Cape.
Her opponent is a retired state trooper, Tim Whelan, 46, of Brewster. The GOP is anxious to reclaim the sear, coalescing behind Whelan with no primary and plenty of money to save. Whelan is trying as much as possible to use the “nice guy” playbook and not get into issues. But there are differences, this is not a moderate Republican.
Early on Whelan raised the issue of welfare reform as important. As soon as you hear that, you know it is more of the GOP war on the poor. Remember, a federal audit reported only .12% of beneficiaries being flagged in MA, under the national average. No one is against making programs stronger, but when it comes to the GOP talking about welfare “reform”, you know it means cutting people.
At their debate last week, Zawadzkas spoke in favor of the increased minimum wage, Whelan is opposed. To me, this speaks to the heart of Elisa’s candidacy. When you are from here, you know a lot of people who work 2 or more jobs to make ends meet. This is one of the primary reasons why young people are leaving the Cape. The Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center estimates that 26% of Central Cape Cod workers would benefit directly or indirectly from an increase in minimum wage. Bear in mind that the $8 per hour now is worth more than 20% less than minimum wage in 1968.
Whelan opposes this. He doesn’t get it. When you move to Cape Cod on a $73K plus benefits pension in your 40’s, the issue does not hit home. Surprisingly, none of the local media has even raised the issue of Whelan double dipping the state if he becomes a state rep. And add one more piece to this. I am unclear based on what I read on page 32 of this booklet from the State Retirement Board, whether someone receiving a state pension can work more than 960 hours per year for the state subsequently. I’ve emailed them for clarification.
I attended a fundraiser for Zawadzkas this past Saturday and as Representative Sarah Peake said, Elisa is the one we can elect who will fight on issues like the minimum wage, getting NStar to not spray on Cape Cod and preserving the environment as a whole. We can fundamentally change the dynamics of the district and Cape politics by electing Elisa. The campaign is out there and knocking doors. Whelan is getting help from the state GOP and off-Cape PACs. Any way you can help out is appreciated, check out her website. Thanks!
And one progressive activists across the state should take to heart. This is a race worth winning and fighting for, as is Chris Finn‘s fight in Wakefield and Saugus, and Steve Ultrino in Malden to name another.
Just last year, during a presidential year with Liz Warren topping the local ticket, Wong ran unopposed, after winning by a few hundred votes the year before. He talks like a moderate Republican but routinely votes a hard line against help to immigrants, welfare, a common sense gas tax and public housing among other issues. Chris Fallon is another great example, and as soon as Ultrino stepped up, he stepped down. Run progressives everywhere, and don’t be surprised if more progressives are elected.
Every district matters–and is worth fighting for. With three weeks to go until the election, we all need to remind friends and acquaintances to REGISTER. We also need to get out the vote, folks! Wishing the best to Chris Finn, Elisa Zawadzkas, and of course our own Steve Ultrino (33rd Middlesex, Malden) and Jason Lewis (State Senate 5th Middlesex). These candidates are taking NOTHING for granted.
I bet their taking for granted that they’ll get the support from the wealthy radical liberals who continually dominate the political landscape in areas such as Newton, Weston, Cambridge etc etc…
If it’s legit why should that not be a problem.
You also seem to indicate that retiring in your 40’s on a government pension is a problem Is it?
Switch parties and you know the GOP raises the issue. Second, I have still not been able to get an answer as to any limitation on working for the state in that capacity when you are receiving a pension. And finally, as I said, it is indicative of not understanding the economic issues many people on the Cape face.
The post implies a guy who moves to the Cape with a $73K annual pension might not get how many natives of his new town are struggling to get by on multiple minimum wage jobs. Not that he shouldn’t be able to retire on a pension in his 40s after doing police work for decades.
The whole “life long” vs recent bit is a common campaign tactic, though I’m only so-so on its use. If I was born and lived in MA and then moved, how long am I precluded from running for office without criticism, 20 years?
People keep coming on this board looking for support. As discussed elsewhere 160:0 and 40:0 isn’t necessarily a positive goal. I don’t know anything about this race so maybe it’s saint vs schmuck as described.
BTW if you’re on a state pension you can’t work in MA (you can work in other states) without your pension being reduced. Doesn’t apply to elected officials though.
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But it’s particularly valid here. A close family friend recently retired from the NYPD and moved to upstate NY. He got a nice house on 10 acres for way less than he sold his house in Queens for. And retired cops and firefighters from NYC are the only people up there with spare cash. He had lunch with my uncle at a restaurant where it was all retired guys from the city. Asked the owner how come and the owner said the locals mostly can’t afford it. He had three jobs open for dishwashers when he opened and had 200 applications. People moving in to take it easy and live off a decent pension are doing nothing wrong but they don’t understand the community very well.
I was looking for something regarding elected officials being exempt, but couldn’t find it. If you have the language or reference, I’d appreciate, thanks!
This is at mass.gov/treasury
He’ll work less than 960 hours per year.
His rep salary will fit under the cap considering he made $135K in 2012.
Governmental Job
There are limitations that apply to retirees who work in positions in state or local public sector positions in Massachusetts. employees classified as “consultants” or “independent contractors” are also subject to these limitations if they are receiving pension benefits & working in a governmental position. Limitations include:
Employment may not exceed 960 hours per calendar year; and/or
Total earnings per calendar year cannot exceed the difference between the retirement allowance and the current salary of the posi- tion from which you retired. as a retiree, you must cease employ- ment whenever either one of the above two conditions are met. if you wish to continue working, then you must waive your retirement
allowance. (See M.G.L. c.32, §91)
After you have been retired one full calendar year, you may earn
an additional $15,000 per year beyond the limitations listed above;
however you are still limited to the maximum 960 hours per year.
I’ve seen the 960. As regards to a legislator, are hours only kept when in formal session? We consider our state reps and senators as full time, but based on what?
Tim Whelan has lived on Cape for many years. In fact, his wife Lisa was was a teacher and later principal at Station Ave Elementary School in Yarmouth (part of the district)
Given that as recently as last year, there is an OCPF listing for a Timothy Whelan of Worcester. Nice of him to donate to Tim Murray, btw 🙂
Believe it or not, Whelan isn’t that uncommon a name.
Plus, Whelan is also a veteran.. And we all know how much us liberals hate veterans! Especially us liberals from the Newton, Weston, Cambridge etc etc…
That’s why the liberal mayor of Newton is a veteran. Keep up with the silly caricatures though.
Actually, the Mayor of Newton joined the navy at 35 years old. Why would someone join the Navy at 35? Politics! Politics! Politics!
If you need anymore info on my good friend Setti, please ask…