Joseph Boncore announces candidacy for State Senate
Winthrop native and attorney Joseph Boncore has announced that he will run for State Senate to represent the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, which includes Cambridge, Revere, and Winthrop, along with the neighborhoods of East Boston, the North End, Chinatown, Bay Village and portions of Beacon Hill and the Back Bay. A special primary election has been set for April 12, 2016, with a special general election to take place on for May 10, 2016. Born and raised in Winthrop, Boncore, 33, is the current chair of the Winthrop Housing Authority, a seat he was elected to in 2009. Boncore also serves as the chair of the Town of Winthrop Ordinance Review Committee, a position two Town Council Presidents appointed him to. As a bar advocate with Suffolk Lawyers for Justice where he often provides legal representation to indigent clients, Boncore has practiced law with the Boncore Law Office since being admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2007. Boncore also serves as the National Vice President with Sons of Italy in America and is member of the Justinian Law Society.Boncore looks to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Petruccelli, who resigned on January 21, 2016 to take a position in the private sector. “I will have some big shoes to fill if I am fortunate to earn the support of the district’s voters. Senator Petruccelli served as an effective leader for this district for 8 years. I hope I can continue his work with a similar passion,” said Boncore while campaigning in Revere.The district’s makeup means that the next State Senator will need to address a number of critical issues including housing, Logan Airport expansion, combatting substance abuse and addiction, public safety and transportation. “As a result of my experience as a public defender and my work with the Housing Authority, I find myself often helping the members of our society who are most in need,” said Boncore. One issue that stands out for Boncore is substance abuse and addiction. “Society needs to come to the realization that addiction is a disease and should be not be a stigma. We can’t just label those suffering from addiction as criminals. Many of the people I interact with would not be involved in the criminal justice system if they had access to the resources needed to deal with their addiction or the underlying mental health issues for which they may be self medicating,” said Boncore. Pointing to the disparity in funding, Boncore wondered why “the Commonwealth spends four dollars on putting an addict through the criminal justice system and only one dollar on treatment when the opposite should be true.” Boncore believes that we can make significant progress in combatting these issues by targeting the youngest citizens and investing in the means to identify and diagnose mental health issues in our children while making resources available for treatment and education on the negative effects of opiates.Denise LoConte of Winthrop says she is in Boncore’s corner. “I have known Joe and his family for many years. He has always stood out amongst the best and brightest in this community and is a person that truly knows how to help others. I look forward to having him as our next State Senator.” Boncore has already assembled a talented campaign infrastructure and finance committee – many whom helped elect former Senator Anthony Petruccelli in his victory over Dan Rizzo in 2007. In addition, Boncore is reaching out to younger voters and encouraging their involvement. Juan Jaramillo, of Revere, is excited to be working with Boncore on his campaign. “I am thrilled to work for Joe because the issues at stake in this election, issues that Joe proudly stands behind, like the need for criminal justice reform and affordable housing, are vital to preserving the fabric of the communities of the district.” Juan is the former Program Director for the civic organization, Revere Youth in Action, which has worked on social justice issues throughout the community.A formal campaign kickoff is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2016 at the Beachmont VFW Post at 7:00pm where Joe will outline his priorities for the Senate district. The public is welcome to attend. To date, the campaign has already received endorsements from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 and International Association of Heat and Frost, Insulators and Asbestos Workers (Local 6).For more information, you can email [email protected] or visit the campaign’s website at www.boncoreforsenate.com.