Ward 1 Democratic Committee fails to endorse candidate in Special State Senate race; No candidate garnered 10 votes

(EAST BOSTON- April 1, 2016)  An endorsement meeting of the Ward 1 Democratic Committee was held on  Tuesday,  March 29, 2016  at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club. The purpose of this meeting was to consider an endorsement in the First Suffolk & Middlesex Senate race. 

The meeting was attended by fifteen (15) members of the Ward committee and six (6) of the seven (7) democratic candidates. The candidates who addressed the committee included: Joseph Boncore, Lydia Edwards, Diana Hwang, Rep. Jay Livingstone, Paul Rogers and Dan Rizzo. Unfortunately, Steve Morabito was not feeling well and notified the committee that he would be unable to attend. The six candidates each delivered five-minute speeches about their backgrounds, qualifications and their platforms. The candidates presented great information and those in attendance asked some great questions, which spurred a lively and informative discussion. 

 Following the presentations by the candidates the Ward committee took an endorsement vote, with 15 members in attendance a minimum of 10 votes was required for a candidate endorsement. None of the candidates garnered enough votes to receive an endorsement.

Voters in the First Suffolk & Middlesex  District, which includes all of East Boston, head to the polls on April 12,2016 for the primary election. 

Questions? Contact Ward 1 chairman Michael Sulprizio at msulprizio@comcast.net. You can also follow the Ward Committee on Twitter @ward1demsEB or “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ward1dems/

Source: Michael Sulprizio, Ward Committee Chair, 617-438-0952, msulprizio@comcast.net

State Senate Forum March 14, 2016 at JPNA

Former Lt. Governor candidate Mike Lake endorses Steve Morabito for State Senate

Arrived today from the Morabito campaign:

I am proud to announce my endorsement of Steve Morabito as the Democratic nominee for State Senator for the First Suffolk and Middlesex district of Massachusetts. I have come across many public servants and politicians from my tenure at the White House to my campaign for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, but Steve truly stands out for his passion, commitment to community, energy and the breadth and depth of his ideas. He has the commonsense leadership and experience that will make him the type of State Senator the people of the district deserve. 

Frankly, beyond his obvious qualifications, the reason I am supporting Steve and ask the residents of the First Suffolk and Middlesex district to do the same is because Steve understands the importance of standing up for others, taking action, being accountable and being loyal to the community that you serve. We need more leaders just like Steve Morabito to emerge from this new generation.

I have known Steve for years and we both agree that tackling the opioid crisis statewide must be controlled with preventive education, cracking down on the overprescribing of powerful prescription drugs and making sure mental health care is easily accessible for addicts. We also agree that we must properly support our public schools to ensure a brighter future for our state and the children who trust us to provide them the best education so that they may succeed in the 21st century.  

Steve's perspective on how we must be the number one state in providing support to our Veterans as well as his progressive approach on increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, fair wage equality, affordable housing, and his great interest in our senior citizens and his opposition to increasing fares on the MBTA makes him the ideal candidate for the Senate Seat.

I ask you to join me in supporting Steven Morabito for State Senator for the First Suffolk and Middlesex district. His understanding of the issues in the district and his commitment to public service will make him the strong and affective leader you need and deserve.

Respectfully,
Michael LakeFormer CandidateLt. Governor of Massachusetts President/CEO at Leading Cities

Sept. 30: State Representative Candidate Forum "Our Community, Our Future"

You are cordially invited:
State Representative Candidate Forum "Our Community, Our Future" 

Date:  Tuesday, September 30
Time:  5:30-7:30 pm
Location:  Maverick Landing Community Room
31 Liverpool Street, East Boston

Simultaneous translation English to Spanish available, light refreshments will be served at 5:30 pm.  Children friendly environment, all are welcome.

This is a non-partisan candidate forum co-sponsored by Neighbors United for a Better East Boston (NUBE), Mass VOTE, Right to the City Boston, East Boston Ecumencial Council (EBECC) and Maverick Association of Residents (MAR).
For more info, please contact NUBE, 617-981-4010 or info@nubeastboston.org.

Thank you,
Maverick Association of Residents (M.A.R.)
31 Liverpool Street, East Boston, MA 02128
617-569-5100/ fax 617-567-2420
Twitter:  @MAREastBoston
Office Hours:  10am-1pm, Tuesday & Thursdays

Stand For Democracy and Don Berwick for Governor Campaigns Agree to Work Collaboratively in the Fight Against Casinos

Source Sunha Kim, (310) 710-3348, spk454@mail.harvard.edu

Leaders from both Stand For Democracy and Don Berwick for Governor campaigns met last week to discuss the repeal of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act. Both organizations have agreed to work collaboratively towards repealing the commonwealth’s casino law and promoting Berwick’s stance as the only candidate opposed to casinos and supporting the repeal. “We have taken a close look at all of the gubernatorial candidates and their stance on casinos in Massachusetts. Don Berwick’s position against casinos is the only one in line with that of Stand For Democracy”, said Pedro Morales, one of the founders of Stand For Democracy.

Stand For Democracy is an organization that emanates from the successful 2013 anti-casino campaign in East Boston. “Don was inspired by the ability of grassroots activists to take on powerful corporate interests in the East Boston casino referendum. It is exciting to collaborate with some of the leaders of that movement, and we look forward to working together to promote Don’s position on this crucial issue around the state,” said David Marsh of the Berwick campaign. A schedule of joint events will be released shortly.  

Politics 2014: State Representative Candidate Celeste Ribeiro Myers Challenges Opponent to Refuse Special Interest Donations

(EAST BOSTON, MA, July 8, 2014)—Celeste Ribeiro Myers, candidate for Suffolk County’s State Representative seat in the First District, today committed to refusing campaign donations from special interest organizations and political action committees and challenged her opponent to do the same. In a letter to Rep. Carlo Basile, Myers also asked the incumbent to join her in refusing donations fron groups and organizations with a special interest in legislation before the House of Representatives.

“By joining together in this ‘people’s pledge,’” she wrote, “we will send a message to voters over the coming months that we are beholden to only them, rather than any outside special interest groups.”

Lobbyists and special interest organizations have given millions to candidates across the Commonwealth in an effort to influence their legislative priorities. Myers notes in her letter to Basile that East Boston has seen numerous groups attempt to impose their will on the neighborhood over the years and specifically cited the almost $3 million spent by Suffolk Downs and Caesars Entertainment leading up to their unsuccessful casino referendum in November. And with a question on the ballot that could repeal the 2011 casino law, millions more are sure to pour into East Boston and throughout the state in the coming months from casino companies and their lobbyists.

“I know you’ll agree that East Boston is a special place, a place where residents are invested in our community and know what is best for ourselves,” she wrote. “As we saw at the polls last November, voters here are savvy and do not fall for the messages from outside groups attempting to impose their will on us. They are disgusted with special interest money, its influence and how it undermines the democratic process because they have seen it in this community, across the state and across the nation.”

Myers, a lifelong East Boston resident, officially kicked off her campaign for State Representative on June 26 at an energetic event with more than 150 supporters on-hand. Former state Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi introduced Myers at the event, lauding her political courage and urging East Boston residents to send her to the State House. Myers is known for leading the ballot question campaign group No Eastie Casino, which successfully defeated a proposal to site a casino at Suffolk Downs in East Boston on Nov. 5, 2013. (her opponent, Basile, opposed an area casino as a candidate in 2007 but vigorously supported casino plans in the run-up to the vote)

Myers’ robust platform includes plans to give residents more say in how Eastie develops; transportation improvements; job creation and economic development; health; and equality and inclusion for all. Check out her entire platform at www.celesteforeastboston.com.

Media Contact: Steve Holt, 978-494-6109 

Source: Myers Campaign 7/8/2014

Feb. 22: Local Democrats to elect delegates to state convention

Democrats in East Boston will be holding a caucus at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston at 150 Byron Street on February 22, 2014 at 10:00 am, to elect seventeen (17) delegates and three (3) alternates to the 2014 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across Massachusetts will vote to endorse candidates for statewide office. The convention will be held on Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

"This is going to be an exciting year as we build on our recent successes and prepare for the elections in 2014," said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Senator Tom McGee. "Caucuses are the next step in growing our community organizing strategy for victory. People who were part of candidate campaigns in 2012 and 2013 have the opportunity to become part of their local Democratic Party organizations."

"We have a lot of great candidates running for statewide office,'' Senator McGee added. "Anyone who is interested in getting involved in a campaign for Governor, Lieutenant Governor or any other statewide office, can attend their local caucus and learn how to get involved.   

The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in East Boston (Ward 1), and the Democratic Committee welcomes participants. Delegates will be divided equally between men and women, and all ballots will be written and secret. Youth, minorities, and people with disabilities who are not elected as delegates or alternates may apply to be "add-on" delegates. The Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston is handicapped accessible (Please use Wordsworth Street entrance). Details on the rules can be found at www.massdems.org

For more information on the caucus or the committee please contact Ed Deveau at ewdeveau@gmail.com. For general information on the Convention or the Democratic Party please contact 617-939-0800 or contact @massdems.org

Source: Ed Deveau