NORTHAMPTON — The New England Regional Council of Carpenters Local 336 and the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-MA) have endorsed Lindsay Sabadosa for State Representative of the 1st Hampshire District.
“Lindsay’s activism, organizing experience, her commitment to prevailing wages, and her depth of understanding issues like wage theft, independent contractors, and the importance of unions in decreasing the economic disparity in our state is why we proudly endorse her for the First Hampshire district,” said union representative Charlie Payne. “Lindsay would continue the tradition of progressive leadership in our region that understands working families earning livable wages and benefits are an essential component of economic prosperity.”
“We were impressed by [Sabadosa’s] commitment to bringing single-payer healthcare to the Commonwealth and [her] interest in building a relationship with NASW-MA and relying on our expertise on key issues,” said Alison Freeman, the group’s chair of Political Action for Candidate Election.
Sabadosa is currently the Director of the Pioneer Valley Women’s March, a member of the board of Emerge Massachusetts and the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts, and also sits on committees for legislation such as the Safe Communities Act and Medicare for All.
The primary will be held on Sept. 4.
GREENFIELD — Jonathan Edwards has received endorsements from Franklin County Clerk of Courts Susan Emond and Franklin County Register of Deeds Scott Cote in his campaign for State Representative of the 1st Franklin District.
Edwards’ campaign has emphasized his experience as the only candidate who has served on the Select Board, as well as his understanding of issues specific to western Massachusetts towns.
“Experience as a Select Board member is going to be important for the next state Representative from the 1st Franklin District,” Emond said. “Fourteen years of understanding town government and the pivotal connection between town, county and state government is huge.”
He continued, “Combining that experience with his knowledge of all the towns in the region as President of the Franklin County Select Board Association sets Jonathan apart in this race and I look forward to working closely with him if he is elected.”
“I have known Jonathan Edwards for eight years and have worked closely with him not only on government service delivery, but also on the baseball diamond working with boys and girls from across Franklin and Hampshire counties,” said Cote. “He reaches out and works with everyone to find the best solution and the most practical path forward. He is a true public servant.”
“I have seen his work and passion at the local level and we are excited to hopefully work with him as our advocate and partner in the legislature,” he added.
“I am honored that dedicated elected officials such as Sue Emond and Scott Cote have expressed this trust and confidence in my candidacy,” Edwards said. “Sue and Scott are unique and hands-on public officials who commit every day to improving the lives of their constituents and finding collaborative solutions that are in the best interest of Franklin county.”
The primary will be held on Sept. 4.
NORTHAMPTON — State Senator Jamie Eldridge announced on Friday, Aug. 17 that he has endorsed Democrat Chelsea Kline in her bid for the currently vacant Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Senate seat
“I’m proud to endorse Chelsea Kline for State Senator to represent the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Senate District,” said Eldridge (D-Acton), who is the chair of the Senate Progressive Caucus, lead sponsor of Medicare for All, the Safe Communities Act, and 100 percent renewable energy legislation. “The Massachusetts State Senate needs more activist senators, who know from first-hand experience the urgency of taking bolder action to help working families, challenge the status quo on Beacon Hill, and who are deeply committed to supporting people who are the most vulnerable in society. Chelsea Kline’s grassroots local activism co-founding the Badass Activists of the Pioneer Valley, fighting to support undocumented immigrants, protecting women’s reproductive rights, helping the poor, and making healthcare a right, is truly inspiring. She is the exactly the kind of progressive leader that western Massachusetts needs.”
Kline is the only candidate on the ballot for the vacant seat, and runs a platform advocating for environmental protection, a social safety net, investment in schools, and a single-payer healthcare system.
The primary will be held on Sept. 4.
FLORENCE — Jo Comer ford has received endorsements from Carpenters Union Local 336 and the UFCW, Local 1459 in her bid for state senator in the Franklin, Hampshire, Worcester Senate District.
“Our campaign is so grateful to have earned the support of the Carpenters and United Food and Commercial Workers, two organized labor unions with incredible track records of fighting for women and men in this senate district and on issues that really matter to their members, the working women and men, the families that are essential to our economy,” Comerford said.
“Jo Comerford’s extensive policy and organizing experience and her history of campaign work supporting organized labor, gives her an immediate understanding of the complex issues facing our state and gives her clear insight to the important role unions play in ensuring economic opportunity reaches all workers,” said Charlie Payne, a Carpenters representative.
Payne added, “Union carpenters and their families are seeking leaders who can connect policy with concrete measures that will ensure working families share in the economic prosperity of our region and ensure the income inequality gap does not continue to grow. Jo Comerford can provide that important leadership.”
“I am happy to offer the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1459’s endorsement to you,” said UFCW Political Director Matthew Szullborski. “After speaking with you about our concerns regarding the recent attacks against unions, we are confident that you will be an ally in the fight to protect union members across the state as well as support legislation that would do the same. Please know that you have the full support of the UFCW Local 1459. We look forward to working alongside you to achieve our common goals.”
“These endorsements mean so much to me personally because they are endorsements of real working women and men in this district, people who I have known and worked with for years,” Comerford said. “Along with endorsements we have received from other champions of working people, like former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, and former U.S. Congressman John Olver, they reinforce my record and resolve to keep fighting for working families in the Senate. We’ve worked hard to earn these endorsements as we have to earn the most important endorsement: that of the voters of this district on Tuesday, Sept. 4.”
The primary will be held on Sept. 4.
Robert J. Garvey, the former Hampshire County Sheriff, has endorsed Dan Carey in his campaign for State Representative of the 2nd Hampshire District.
“For over thirty years I had the privilege of serving the citizens of Hampshire County as Sheriff,” Garvey said. “Now, it’s time for a new generation of leadership. I am proud to support Dan Carey for state Representative. Dan has the energy and experience to be a strong and effective voice for Easthampton, South Hadley, Hadley and Granby.”
“I am honored to receive Sheriff Garvey’s endorsement,” Carey said. “His long and illustrious career serving the citizens of Hampshire County is admirable and rightly earned him a reputation as one of the most respected sheriffs in the country. As a public servant, Sheriff Garvey has committed himself to progressive ideas and always kept his focus on helping individuals in need. He is the type of leader I aim to be.”
Carey is currently an Assistant District Attorney and Easthampton City Councilor, as well as former Director of the District Attorney’s Drug Diversion & Treatment Program and a former member of the Easthampton School Committee. He has also received endorsements from state Representative John Velis, Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane, former Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, and Carpenters Union Local 336.
The primary will be held on Sept. 4.
The Working Families Party (WFP) has announced its endorsement of Francia Wisnewski for State Representative in the 1st Franklin District.
“Francia has been fighting for social, racial and economic justice in western Massachusetts for a long time,” said Georgia Hollister Isman, New England Political Director at the WFP.
The WFP, a national political organization, aims to recruit, train and elect progressive leaders in an effort to end Republican control in state legislatures and in Congress.
Wisnewski is currently the chair of the Hampshire/Franklin Commission on the Status of Women, an elected member of the Montague Town meeting, and serves on the boards of Leadership Pioneer Valley and the Shea Theater. She has also received endorsements from Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCRP), former State Representative Denise Andrews, and Maria’s List.