Rep. Livingstone announces campaign for State Senate
State Representative Jay Livingstone, of Boston’s 8th Suffolk District, announced today that he will be a Democratic candidate in the upcoming special election to fill the State Senate seat soon to be vacated by Anthony Petruccelli, which includes parts of Boston and Cambridge, the city of Revere and town of Winthrop. Livingstone said that such a diverse district needs a proven effective leader with a broad vision, and he will emphasize his accomplishments as a legislator, both for his district and for families across the Commonwealth, in the campaign.
“I know from my time as a legislator how to deliver for diverse communities,” Livingstone explained, “and that’s what this district needs. Senator Petruccelli was able to deliver for all the communities in the district and it is critical to maintain that standard. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished for my constituents in Boston and Cambridge, and I look forward to reaching out further and getting to know the people in every neighborhood of the Senate district.”
Livingstone grew up in a working-class family in North Attleboro, MA. He worked as a union member at a cardboard box factory while attending college, then put himself through law school. As an Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County, he witnessed the ravages of substance abuse and saw the need for political will to fund treatment beds rather than prison cells. The urgency of this and other issues prompted him to run in a special election for the 8th Suffolk seat, where—as a first-time candidate with a history of community leadership—he shocked political observers by earning an overwhelming victory with nearly 70% of the vote.
Since that time, Livingstone says that he has demonstrated the kind of independent leadership and strong work ethic necessary to get results for his community and to craft comprehensive policy solutions. At the statewide level, he has secured more funding for early education and drug treatment and has worked to advance gun safety. He has also been a staunch advocate for workers, helping to pass increases in the minimum wage and a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, while also filing a successful amendment to protect workers from employer retaliation. More locally, he has passed legislation to enable substantial improvements both to the Esplanade in Boston and to Magazine Beach in Cambridge. Meanwhile, in this legislative session he has filed an Equal Pay Bill to address the gender wage gap in Massachusetts, and a Healthy Kids Bill that aims to take a comprehensive approach to ensure that children in the state are housed, well-fed, healthy—and thus equipped to succeed in school.
Livingstone says he looks forward to talking about these priorities and accomplishments because it is critical to show that our state government has an important role to play in peoples’ lives. “Sometimes people can become cynical about government, but I know firsthand the profound role that effective leadership can play in helping communities and residents thrive,” Livingstone said. “That’s what I’ve been able to do in the House, and that’s why I am running for State Senate. I look forward to campaigning throughout the district, discussing my record, listening to the voters’ concerns, and working to earn their support.”
Boncore says he will run for Senate seat
Winthrop attorney Joseph Boncore confirmed that he will be a candidate for the Senate seat. He will be making an official announcement soon.
Rep. Aaron Michlewitz will not run for State Senate
Massachusetts State Representative Aaron Michlewitz ended speculation that he would seek the open State Senate seat vacated by Massachusetts State Senator Anthony Petruccelli, who recently announced he would be stepping down to pursue other career opportunities.
Many had thought that Michlewitz, the popular North End Democrat, would enter the race, in what will be an upcoming Special Election, but after much consideration, he chose to stay in the House of Representatives.
“After much discussion with family, friends and supporters, I have decided to forgo a run for the Massachusetts State Senate. The honor and consideration of running for such an important seat is currently outweighed by the challenging and important work I am facing in my current district and in my role as the House Chairman of Financial Services”, said Michlewitz.
“I could not be happier right now, serving as part of Speaker DeLeo’s leadership team and working on such important issues as helping to reduce health care costs, overseeing our commonwealth’s banking and financial regulations, and encouraging new and emerging technologies while ensuring consumer protection and the public’s safety with companies like Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb,” added the Representative.
“I was humbled and honored to receive so much support and interest from people all over Senator Petruccelli’s district in recent days, but I am focused on the tasks in front of me now. From the North End to the South End, and everything in between, I love the neighborhoods I represent and look forward to running for re-election for State Representative next year!” concluded Michlewitz.
Public interest attorney Lydia Edwards announces run for State Senate
East Boston advocate for domestic workers, working families, immigrants and the disabled launches campaign
Lydia Edwards, a public interest attorney and union member at Greater Boston Legal Services and East Boston resident, has announced that she is running for State Senator for the First Suffolk and Middlesex district. State Senator Anthony Petruccelli (D-East Boston), announced earlier this month that he will be stepping down to take another job. “I applaud Senator Petruccelli for his incredible leadership serving the neighborhoods in Boston, Revere, Winthrop and Cambridge since 2007, and his two decades of public service in city and state government. I was proud to work closely with Senator Petruccelli over the past 2 years to pass the bi-partisan Domestic Workers’ Rights bill, which he was the lead Senate sponsor, to provide increased worker protection and better wages to thousands of domestic workers across Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing his work advocating for working families.”
Edwards is currently an Equal Justice Fellow for Greater Boston Legal Services, where she represents and advocates for workers’ rights. Her work includes addressing labor trafficking, access to unemployment insurance, fighting for back wages, and implementing the domestic workers bill of rights law. Previously, she worked for the Brazilian Workers Center, providing legal services for immigrant workers and opened the nation’s first legal clinic dedicated to domestic workers. She also worked for the National Domestic Workers Alliance. In 2015, Edwards was twice profiled in the Boston Globe’s business section for her advocacy on behalf of domestic workers. Edwards is also a proud member of the UAW (United Auto Workers) Union Local 2320.
Lydia lives with her husband, Rogerio Mauriz, in East Boston. Edwards, passionate about helping all workers, is a board member of the Boston Independent Living Center (BCIL), was named as a Super Lawyer 2015 for Legal Services, is one of the 2015 National Law Journal Rising Star committee’s top 40 attorneys under 40 in the Boston region, is a Sustainable Economies Law Center Fellow, and recently received a Racial Justice Fellowship to provide legal services for low income individuals interested in forming cooperative businesses. She is a graduate of American University School of Law, and received an LLM from Boston University School of Law.
Edwards said, “I’m passionate about my work, and helping workers from all walks of life. Being a homeowner in East Boston, and attending dozens of community meetings across the city, I see every week the struggles of thousands of citizens of Boston, Cambridge, Revere and Winthrop. I’m running for State Senator for the First Suffolk and Middlesex district to build upon my work on behalf of working families for the past six years. I have a deep understanding of the interconnected issues facing our community, including inequality, immigrants’ rights, affordable housing, racial justice, women’s rights, workers’ empowerment, and helping every neighborhood thrive.”
In addition to being a board member of the Boston Independent Living Center, Edwards is a Democrat, member of the Women’s Bar Association, Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, NAACP, and the National Lawyers Guild. Edwards, who has established a campaign committee, will be reaching out to elected officials, community leaders, and residents between now and the end of the year, and is planning a campaign kick-off for the beginning of 2016.