On May 25, I opened up the Gazette to read the above-the-fold headline “Senate hopeful calls out rival’s comments” with photos of Chelsea Kline and David J. Murphy, both candidates for the Senate seat vacated by Stan Rosenberg, and two people I have never met.
In this period of “MeToo,” with nearly daily revelations of misogyny, sexual harassment and abuse perpetrated by rich and famous men, (and the not-so- famous), imagine my surprise to find that a male candidate who wants to represent me, and other women and men in our Senate district, thought it OK and appropriate at a public political event to comment on how “stunning” Kline is, and “even more beautiful” in person than in photos. This is how men constantly attempt to demean and disempower women: speaking about their beauty and charm, rather than engaging their intellect and skills.
Murphy, a Newton lawyer, took the liberty of touching Kline’s arm and her back while exhorting her beauty. After reading her Facebook post and being called out publicly, Murphy called and apologized to his opponent, who said, “He acknowledged that he made a mistake and didn’t mean to make me uncomfortable.”
Murphy has worked on Beacon Hill as an attorney. He acknowledges there is an underrepresentation of women in our state Legislature. Since Murphy is quoted as saying, “I think it’s important that everyone is represented,” equitably. He also indicated that he recognizes there is gender inequity in the Statehouse.
Therefore, I suggest, given his inexcusable behavior, that he immediately step down from the Senate race, and that he divide any campaign donations he has received between the women who are running for the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester district.
Goodbye, Mr. Murphy. No excuse is acceptable. Your electoral career aspiration has been short-lived. We do not need men like you to represent us.
Susan Triolo
Sunderland