AMHERST — Mindy Domb, a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 3rd Hampshire District, is being endorsed by MassEquality PAC, which stands with, develops and elects candidates who champion justice and equality for all LGBTQ people across the state.
“Mindy’s commitment to progressive values and her experience addressing LGBTQ issues in her community ensure that she will be a leader on equality in the State House,” said Deborah Shields, MassEquality’s executive director, in a statement.
Domb called the endorsement from MassEquality very meaningful.
“I have spent my life fighting for the rights of LGBTQ people and with the community to ensure the fundamental human right to live free of discrimination, fear, hate and threats based on one’s sexual orientation and gender identification,” Domb said. “I hope to bring that experience and my deep commitment to the Statehouse.”
She noted an immediate priority will be to ban so-called gay conversion therapy.
AMHERST — Eric Nakajima, a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 3rd Hampshire District, is being endorsed by the Service Employees International Union Local 509, the largest union of human service workers in the state.
“SEIU members want a representative who will put working people first and believes everyone deserves a good job to support their family,” Peter MacKinnon, president of SEIU Local 509 said in a statement. “Eric Nakajima shares our vision that our state is better when unions are strong.”
Nakajima said he is honored to receive the endorsement.
“The members of SEIU Local 509 are the compassionate and hardworking caregivers, educators and clinicians who make our community’s social safety net work,” Nakajima said.
Nakajima, of Amherst, is competing against Mindy Domb, also an Amherst Democrat, at the Sept. 4 primary for the seat that represents Amherst, Pelham and Precinct 1 in Granby.
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the president of SEIU Local 509 Peter MacKinnon.
NORTHAMPTON — SEIU Local 509, a union that represents nearly 20,000 human service workers and educators, announced its endorsement of Chelsea Kline in her race for the Democratic nomination for the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District in the state Senate.
“We’re proud to endorse Chelsea Kline for State Senate,” said Peter MacKinnon, president of Local 509, in a release. “While SEIU members are on the front lines serving the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents, they need to know they have someone fighting for them. Chelsea is the person we need in the Senate.”
“As someone who worked hard but still had to rely on programs like MassHealth and SNAP benefits, I am inspired to be in the fight for economic justice with the frontline workers of SEIU 509,” Kline said in the same release. “SEIU 509 members care for the elderly, for children, for people with disabilities, and for people who struggled like I did. SEIU members work long and hard caring for vulnerable people and holding our communities together, and I am proud to have their support.”
Kline, a Northampton educator and women’s rights advocate, is the only candidate on the ballot in the Democratic primary. She is facing three write-in challengers from Northampton in the race: Northampton City Council President Ryan O’Donnell, Central Hampshire Veterans’ Services Director Steven Connor and former MoveOn.org campaign director Jo Comerford.