Governor Healey Calls on Democrats to Rally Behind President Biden, Senator Warren in Upcoming Elections to Protect Democracy
LOWELL, MA - Democrats from across Massachusetts gathered in Lowell Saturday for the state Party’s annual convention, coalescing around a bold agenda to ensure the strength of the Democratic party in Massachusetts and nationally in the year ahead.
Governor Maura Healey was among the elected Democrats who rallied the approximately 2,000 delegates who traveled from cities and towns across the state to the convention at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.
“You know I believe in teams. If we want to continue our progress, we need our best teammates with us,” said Governor Healey. “That starts with re-electing our fabulous Senator, Elizabeth Warren. It means supporting our mayors and state Senators and representatives, and our local officials who are on the front lines of these issues. And it means doing everything we need to do to re-elect President Biden.”
Senator Warren, who is running for re-election in 2024, enthusiastically reminded Democrats what is on the line in the next year.
“We are in a flight, a fight for our democracy,” said Senator Warren. “In 2024 democracy will be on the ballot and Democrats will be there to defend it. Our democracy is worth fighting for. Democracy is what we do together.”
Senator Ed Markey also drove home the need for Democrats to unite in common purpose.
“When we come together and we fight, we win,” said Senator Markey. “We are going to keep fighting, protecting our planet, protecting our people, protecting our democracy from the attacks by MAGA right-wing Republicans.”
Delegates, the majority of whom are elected by their city or town ward committees, passed four amendments to the Party’s charter during the convention proceedings, including an amendment to designate military veterans as an add-on delegate category for future state conventions. Add-on delegates help the Party ensure its convention includes a wide variety of historically underrepresented communities.
“This is the Democratic Party. This is Massachusetts,” said Party Chair Steve Kerrigan, as he kicked off the Convention. “When those we care about are threatened or confronted by injustice and unfairness, we band together, full speed ahead and we fight. And, my fellow Democrats, there are big fights ahead. This is no time to celebrate past successes.”
During the convention delegates contacted more than 17,000 Democratic voters via text message in support of Rep. Jon Zlotnik who is running for an open state Senate seat in a special election. They also texted more than 10,000 voters encouraging them to volunteer in support of Democratic candidates across the country.
A number of elected Democrats spoke at the Convention calling on their fellow Democrats to collectively push democratic ideals here in Massachusetts and across the country.
“As we head into this critical 2024 election season, we know our country only gets stronger if we lead with Massachusetts values,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “With Senator Warren, Senator Markey, our entire Congressional delegation, President Biden, Vice President Harris. Now is our time, Democrats. To show that, in Massachusetts, we don’t follow, we lead. It’s time to get stuff done.”
Before the annual convention officially began Saturday morning, delegates and guests took part in training sessions on how to support Democratic campaigns in swing states and tight races from Congress to the White House, create a town and ward committee, and best practices for digital fundraising.
“We have a long history of showing the rest of the country what is possible,” said Attorney General Andrea Campbell. “Think about all we can accomplish in the next few years, if we, Massachusetts Democrats, make focused investments of time and money and organize in every city and town across the Commonwealth, and work not to just protect incumbency but to also create a pipeline of diverse elected leadership.”
Other speakers throughout the day included Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Senate President Karen Spilka, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau, State Senator Ed Kennedy, State Senator Cindy Friedman, and Steven Tolman, President Massachusetts AFL-CIO.
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