In January 2017, hundreds of thousands of us gathered on Boston Common for the Women’s March. We were angry, alarmed, and in shock after seeing Donald Trump sworn in as President the day before. But as Ed Markey always says–in Massachusetts, we don’t agonize, we organize.
So we turned out 175,000 strong that day, ready to fight for women’s rights, for LGBTQ+ rights, and for the rights and dignity of all. Ed Markey was there with us then as he’s always been: a fierce champion for women, for equality.
Not in our worst nightmares could we have imagined the lengths to which this administration would go to deny women our rights, silence our voices, and sideline us from decisions about our own lives. But at every turn, Ed Markey has been there to stand up to Donald Trump. To let Trump know that his platform of hate is not what we stand for in Massachusetts.
When Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017, Ed Markey said no. He gathered women’s health leaders and health care advocates from across the state and sent a powerful message: no one was undermining the historic health care law under Ed Markey’s watch.
When Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Ed Markey led the charge– joining with Planned Parenthood to highlight survivors’ stories and rallying the troops at NARAL’s City Hall rally.
When the Trump administration began its assault on Title X funding for Planned Parenthood and scores of Massachusetts health centers that counsel women on a full range of family planning services, including abortion, Ed Markey was there to elevate the issue. He stood with Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and all of us to say not on our watch.
Throughout his career in public service, Ed Markey has been a champion for women, a relentless advocate, and a true friend. He has fought for pay equity, full access to health services, and the Equal Rights Amendment. He has fought for legislation to combat domestic violence and workplace harassment and expand resources for survivors. He has championed expansion the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protection against discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
The day after Inauguration Day in 2017, Ed Markey gave us hope at the start of a dark time. He reminded us that in Massachusetts we have always been revolutionaries. In Massachusetts, we fight for equality and we fight for justice. Ed Markey has always fought for women, and we know he always will.
Signed by the following members of the Massachusetts Legislature who are proud to support Senator Ed Markey’s re-election:
Representative Ruth Balser – Newton
Representative Christine Barber – Somerville
Representative Michelle Ciccolo – Lexington
Representative Michelle Dubois – Brockton
Representative Lori Ehrlich – Marblehead
Representative Nika Elugardo – Boston
Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier – Pittsfield
Senator Anne Gobi – Spencer
Representative Tami Gouveia – Acton
Representative Danielle Gregoire – Marlborough
Representative Pat Haddad – Somerset
Representative Natalie Higgins – Leominster
Representative Kay Khan – Newton
Senator Joan Lovely – Salem
Representative Liz Malia – Boston
Representative Joan Meschino – Hull
Representative Liz Miranda – Boston
Representative Tram Nguyen – Andover
Representative Sarah Peake – Provincetown
Representative Denise Provost – Somerville
Representative Maria Robinson – Framingham
Dismayed but not surprised that my State Rep, Kate Hogan, has not endorsed Sen. Markey. Sigh.
I was at a meeting tonight and asked to take a straw poll. It was 8 for Markey, 1 undecided. Kennedy doesn’t seem to have a chance. It makes no sense that he is running.
I did see an actual poll suggesting a Kennedy lead by double digits.