In the Endorsement Battle with Joe Kennedy, Ed Markey Is Winning
A guide to who's with whom in the closely watched U.S. Senate race.
Per tradition over here at Boston, the usual disclaimer: Endorsements tell only part of the story in a campaign, but they do show where allegiances lie, and help candidates define themselves in concrete terms by the company they keep. In the particularly heated race between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy III for Markey’s Senate seat, endorsements have become especially valuable, and controversial.
For Markey, earning support from the likes of Elizabeth Warren helps him identify himself as the more progressive candidate in the contest, while emphasizing his ties to 30-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and co-authorship of the Green New Deal helps deflate the pitch from Kennedy that the incumbent is too old and entrenched to represent the interests of young voters.
Kennedy, meanwhile, has some fairly prominent colleagues in Congress along for the primary ride, most notably John Lewis, the late civil rights icon and congressman, and Rep. Joaquin Castro, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
For what it’s worth, Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton, who each won their seats by challenging incumbents, have both said they will not be endorsing in the primary, which will be held on Sept. 1, with mail-in ballots in the works for those who don’t want to vote in person.
Some of the most contentious moments of the campaign so far have revolved around endorsements, in ways that have tended to put Kennedy on the defensive. Kennedy announced, then abruptly canceled, a virtual campaign event featuring Broadway stars after the celebrities pulled out of the fundraiser under pressure from Markey stans online (in response, Kennedy’s campaign fired off a testy statement condemning what it called a coordinated “cyber-bullying” campaign fueling the fracas). His team also lashed out at the Boston Globe after its editorial board endorsed Markey this week, attempting a rhetorical judo move by dismissing the paper as serving “disproportionately white, well-off, well-educated readers” and framing its backing of Markey as support for “the status quo.”
In August, the race saw yet another headline-grabbing endorsement: A late-coming show of support for Kennedy from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who made her announcement via video August 20, with just under two weeks to go before the Sept. 1 primary. Markey responded in notably gracious fashion, both congratulating his opponent and praising his high-profile backer in a statement.
In terms of sheer volume of support from powerful allies, the advantage clearly goes to Markey. How much that will matter in the end is unclear, but it’s possible it could tip a very tight race in his favor. Polls initially showed Kennedy with a slight lead, but now show Markey inching ahead in a very tight race. Twin forces that have historically proved powerful in Massachusetts politics are also at play: Markey is an incumbent, and Kennedy is a Kennedy. But in a race that’s all about defining who these men are beyond those two factors, here is the state of play for endorsements:
Endorsements for Ed Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Other members of the MA Delegation
- Rep. Richard Neal
- Rep. Jim McGovern
- Rep. Lori Trahan
- Rep. Stephen Lynch
- Rep. Bill Keating
(source)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Sens. Cory Booker, Chuck Schumer
My friend @EdMarkey is one of the most respected voices for progressive change in all of Washington. I am so proud to endorse him for re-election.
Head over to https://t.co/eB5VNlMqOU and get involved with his campaign. Please help send Ed back to the U.S. Senate. https://t.co/UUdMmd84wX
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 22, 2020
The Boston Globe Editorial Board
I am very grateful to be endorsed by the @BostonGlobe. https://t.co/qzFb3EVLlS
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) July 28, 2020
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
I’m running on my record of delivering for people and communities everywhere in Massachusetts. That record has earned our movement the support of some of the most passionate leaders in our state and I am honored to have them fighting alongside us. pic.twitter.com/VFUtf9ViJ6
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 29, 2020
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone
In @EdMarkey, MA has a Senator on the leading edge of the climate fight and technological innovation. Along w/ @ewarren he has set a new standard for Senators being champions for our local communities. I will be voting enthusiastically for Ed Markey.https://t.co/is79YEueSz
— Joseph A. Curtatone (@JoeCurtatone) July 28, 2020
Other Mayors
- Lawrence: Dan Rivera
- Worcester: Joe Petty
- Brockton: Robert Sullivan
- Lynn: Thomas McGee
- Quincy: Tom Koch
- Lawrence: Dan Rivera
- Haverhill: James Fiorentini
- Malden: Gary Christenson
- Medford: Breanna Lungo-Koehn
- Revere: Brian Arrigo
- Attleboro: Paul Heroux
- Pittsfield: Linda Tyer
- Fitchburg: Stephen DiNatale
- Woburn: Scott Galvin
- Northampton: David Narkewicz
- Melrose: Paul Brodeur
- Newburyport: Donna Holaday
- Easthampton: Nicole LaChapelle
- North Adams: Tom Bernard
- Agawam: William Sapelli
- Greenfield: Roxann Wedegartner
- Chicopee: John Vieau
Attorney and Climate Activist Zephyr Teachout
This seems like a good time to endorse Ed Markey, Green New Deal champion, in his reelection campaign. https://t.co/Xxs6qRsb1S
— Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) March 13, 2020
Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo, Kenzie Bok
Boston City Councilor @KenzieBok and I stand together in the fight for transportation and housing justice. We share a common goal of making our communities equitable, safe, and sustainable and I am grateful to have her endorsement in this election. pic.twitter.com/4ZqUKlrlu0
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) July 21, 2020
Tom Steyer
The last time Tom Steyer dabbled in #mapoli, it was to run ads pushing Rep. Richard Neal to impeach President Donald Trump. Now Steyer is endorsing Sen. Ed Markey for reelection pic.twitter.com/pjD3Dgqsto
— Stephanie Murray (@stephanie_murr) June 29, 2020
Mike Dukakis
Michael and Kitty Dukakis are the embodiment of the bold, progressive values that have made the Democratic Party what it is today. I could not be more grateful for their support. pic.twitter.com/gg3dBbdTKn
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 28, 2020
State Senators
- Sonia Chang Díaz
- Michael Barrett
- Michael Brady
- Williams Brownsberger
- Jo Comerford
- Cynthia Creem
- Brendan Crighton
- Sal DiDomenico
- James Eldridge
- Barry Finegold
- Cindy Friedman
- Anne Gobi
- Patricia Jehlen
- John Keenan
- Edward Kennedy
- Jason Lewis
- Joan Lovely
- Michael Moore
- Marc Pacheco
- Michael Rodrigues
- Rebecca Rausch
- Michael Rush
- Karen Spilka
- Jim Welch
- Su Moran
State Representatives
- Carlos González
- José Tosado
- Marcos Devers
- Frank Moran
- Dan Sena
- Andy Vargas
- James Arciero
- Brian Ashe
- Bruce Ayers
- Ruth Balser
- Christine Barber
- John Barrett
- Fmr. Jennifer Benson
- Natalie Blais
- Fmr. Paul Brodeur
- Daniel Cahill
- Linda Campbell
- Peter Capano
- Daniel Carey
- Gerard Cassidy
- Tackey Chan
- Michelle Ciccolo
- Mike Connolly
- Dan Cullinane
- Mark Cusack
- Josh Cutler
- Michael Day
- Marjorie Decker
- Robert DeLeo
- Marcos Devers
- Mindy Domb
- Daniel Donahue
- Paul Donato
- William Driscoll
- Michelle DuBois
- Carolyn Dykema
- Lori Ehrlich
- Nika Elugardo
- Tricia Farley-Bouvier
- Dylan Fernandes
- Carole Fiola
- William Galvin
- Sean Garballey
- Colleen Garry
- Carmine Gentile
- Carlos Gonzalez
- Kenneth Gordon
- Tami Gouveia
- Danielle Gregoire
- Patricia Haddad
- Richard Haggerty
- Stephan Hay
- Jonathan Hecht
- Chris Hendricks
- Natalie Higgins
- Russell Holmes
- Kevin Honan
- Daniel Hunt
- Louis Kafka
- Mary Keefe
- Kay Khan
- Kathy Lanatra
- John Lawn
- David LeBoueuf
- Jack Lewis
- David Linsky
- Jay Livingstone
- Adrian Madaro
- John Mahoney
- Elizabeth Malia
- Ronald Mariano
- Paul Mark
- Christopher Marke
- Joseph McGonagle
- Joan Meschino
- Christina Minicucci
- Liz Miranda
- Rady Mom
- Frank Moran
- Michael Moran
- James Murphy
- Harold Naughton
- Tram Nguyen
- Jerald Parisella
- Sarah Peake
- Alice Peisch
- Thomas Petrolati
- Denise Provost
- David Robertson
- Maria Robinson
- David Rogers
- John Rogers
- Daniel Ryan
- Lindsay Sabadosa
- Paul Schmid
- Alan Silvia
- Theodore Speliotis
- Thomas Stanley
- Jose Tosado
- Paul Tucker
- Steven Ultrino
- Andy Vargas
- RoseLee Vincent
- Thomas Walsh
- Bud Williams
- Jonathan Zlotnik
Carole King
Carole King makes a video for Ed Markey, says “you’ll have a friend in the Senate” http://t.co/QfiCTdhoLT
— Robert Costa (@costareports) June 24, 2013
Jane Fonda
We must put our most vulnerable communities first as we address this pandemic and the impacts it will have on our country. No one can be left behind. Thank you @Janefonda for having me on the first virtual @FireDrillFriday. pic.twitter.com/jZZrBC2lHm
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) April 1, 2020
Our Revolution
“We don’t always need to elect a new Democrat. We have some great Democrats who are currently serving our nation and one of them is Ed Markey.” – Hal Ginsberg, Our Revolution Organizer@OurRevolutionMD @ourrevpdx@SenMarkey #OrganizeToWin https://t.co/G5p1hxlI36
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) June 29, 2020
Sunrise Movement
We have never endorsed you @joekennedy.
Also, the majority of our endorsement slate is filled with challengers, not incumbents.
Young people have spoken, and we want @EdMarkey in the Senate, not you. #MASenpic.twitter.com/S2o1jfjFi8
— Sunrise Movement 🌅 (@sunrisemvmt) July 27, 2020
Unions
.@UNITEHERE26 endorses Massachusetts Senator @EdMarkey for re-election #1u #mapoli pic.twitter.com/iIwlgACMuB
— UNITE HERE Local 26 (@UNITEHERE26) February 14, 2020
Ed Markey picks up a key labor endorsement in his Senate primary race against Joe Kennedy. The Massachusetts Teachers’ Association – the NEA affiliate in Massachusetts – endorsed Markey today. @lauracrimaldi reportshttps://t.co/MKst1pwdBg via @BostonGlobe
— Eric Davis (@EricDavisMiddVT) July 25, 2020
- AFSCME Council 93
- SEIU 32BJ
- SEIU 888
- Association of Flight Attendants
- CWA
- CWA 1400
- APFA
- AFGE
- Unite Here 26
- Postal Workers of Central Massachusetts
- American Postal Workers Union (APWU) of Massachusetts
- American Federation of Teachers
- Roxana Rivera, President, 32BJ SEIU, Boston
Gloria Steinem
I am so grateful to have @GloriaSteinem‘s support. Her activism and leadership helped transform our country into a more equitable place and I am tremendously thankful to have her as a partner as we continue this fight. pic.twitter.com/QsMh7QCHaL
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 6, 2020
Ken Burns
I am truly honored to receive the endorsement of @KenBurns, a brilliant, thoughtful documentarian and progressive changemaker. pic.twitter.com/hRrPoIK9p3
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 5, 2020
MoveOn
MoveOn members have voted overwhelmingly to endorse Sen. Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) for re-election to the US Senate! #MoveOnEndorsed pic.twitter.com/5LtCh7V4dw
— MoveOn (@MoveOn) August 12, 2020
Democracy for America
Today, DFA is endorsing @EdMarkey in the #MASen primary.
Sen. Markey was born into a working-class family that taught him real leaders can’t be identified by the last name they were born with, but by the people they fight for, the stands they take, & the battles they wage.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/rqa7RO9cQS
— Democracy for America (@DFAaction) August 20, 2020
Al Gore
Vice President @AlGore is a foundational leader in the climate movement. I am very grateful to have his support in this election. Together, we will pass a Green New Deal, dismantle the structures of environmental racism, create millions of union jobs, and save our planet. pic.twitter.com/nVgCeLZymn
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 25, 2020
Endorsements for Joe Kennedy III
The late Rep. John Lewis
Rep John Lewis on Joe Kennedy: “He is a clear voice for justice and dignity in our rising generation of public servants. I am proud to endorse his run for the U.S. Senate.”https://t.co/Lcx9sRfNAk #MASenateDebate
— Tess Register to Vote Herdman (@tess_herdman) July 26, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is a force. No one has done more to take on Donald Trump and build our Party’s future. Proud and humbled to have her with me in this fight. pic.twitter.com/xyMudb1ROB
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) August 20, 2020
Rep. Joaquin Castro
“Joe Kennedy fights for the rights and dignity of everyone, and he’s dedicated to building a more inclusive country where everyone can achieve their dreams,” Castro said. “On multiple occasions, Joe took action and came to Texas on our southern border to see firsthand the faces of those devastated by the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration policies. Joe is the kind of strong leader we need in the U.S. Senate.”
(source)
Other House Dems
Rep. Mark Pocan
Rep. Raul Grijalva
Rep. David Cicilline
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Joyce Beatty
Rep. Marc Veasey
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Rep. Juan Vargas
Rep. Filomen Vela
Rep. Linda Sanchez
Rep. Gil Cisneros
Rep. Derek Kilmer
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick
Rep. Annie Kuster
Rep. Conor Lamb
Rep. Stephanie Murphy
Rep. Veronica Escobar
Rep. Norma Torres
Rep. Ruben Gallego
Rep. Adriano Espaillat
Rep. Colin Allred
Rep. Lauren Underwood
Rep. Elissa Slotkin
Rep. Angie Craig
Rep. Pete Aguilar
Rep. Al Green
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema
Kyrsten Sinema says she would back Kennedy in Senate race against Markey https://t.co/Ah4mn7ceIC pic.twitter.com/BSliPj0ciO
— The Hill (@thehill) September 12, 2019
Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley
Unions
IBEW Local 103, which was one of the early unions in candidate Ayanna Pressley’s camp is getting behind Congressman Joe Kennedy, as are the Teamsters. https://t.co/4VlhsM066G
— Andy Metzger (@MetzgerBot) September 3, 2019
Firefighters are working 48-hour shifts, and putting their lives at risk each and every time they respond to a call. All while lacking essential equipment.
||| Frontline Report with Rich MacKinnon
||| President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts pic.twitter.com/KjrUxKAjR5— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) April 8, 2020
- Boston Newspaper Printing Pressmen’s Union
- Region 9A of the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers (UAW)
- Massachusetts Laborers, Laborers Local 9, 22, 39, 88, 133, 138, 151, 175, 223, 243, 327, 385, 429, 473, 560, 609, 610, 668, 721, 876, 976, 999, and 1421
- NAGE, the Machinists Statewide Council, IAM (International Association of Machinists), Machinists Local 100, 318, 447, 1420, 1726, and 264
- Teamsters Local 25
- Sprinkler Fitters 550
- Pipefitters Local 4, 104, 151, and 537
- Plumbers Local 12
- IBEW 96, 103, 104, 1505, 223, 455, 326, 2325, 2321, 1499, & 2222
- UWUA 369
- Carmen’s Union 589
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
- IUOE Local 4
- UFCW Local 791
- Painters and Allied Trades DC 35
- Boston Musicians Association Local 9-535
- Ironworkers Local 7
- Plymouth/Bristol County Regional Labor Council
- Norfolk County Regional Labor Council
- North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Eastern Millwrights Regional Council
- Professional Fire Fighters for Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Building Trades Council
Mayors
Grateful for Mayor Fuller’s endorsement and her steadfast commitment to Newton, my hometown. It’s been an honor to work with you these past eight years, and I look forward to continuing our partnership in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/o5xvQH1rne
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) July 7, 2020
- Salem: Kim Driscoll
- Newton: Ruthanne Fuller
- Framingham: Yvonne Spicer
- Peabody: Ted Bettencourt
- Lowell: John Leahy
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins
Honored to be endorsed by Sheriff Steve Tompkins of Suffolk County. His leadership on criminal justice reform & the fight against the opioid crisis is crucial to our community & commonwealth. #mapoli
Happy to have you on #TeamKennedy pic.twitter.com/d6IOg1Omsu
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) October 21, 2019
State Reps. Chynah Tyler, Jon Santiago, Jeff Roy
https://www.facebook.com/JoeKennedyIII/posts/4011720872202779
He’s been “woke” since I met him in the @PeaceCorps so many years ago. @joekennedy went above & beyond the call of duty to help the poorest in the region. No cameras. No media. No one watching. Just a tremendous desire to serve the underserved.https://t.co/Q37gduKkcn
— Jon Santiago (@IamJonSantiago) June 23, 2020
I’m with @joekennedy because of his dedication to his constituents, his empathy, his intellect, his compassion, and his commitment. That’s why I’m #TeamKennedy and will be casting my vote for him on September 1.
— Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) July 28, 2020
State Sen. Eric Lesser
State Sen. Eric Lesser is officially backing Rep. Joe Kennedy in bid for Sen. Ed Markey’s seat https://t.co/E9g0Xs4SEj @masslivenews @joekennedy @ericlesser #mapoli
— Ben Kail (@BenKail) November 8, 2019
Other State Senators
Adam Hinds
Paul Feeney
Diana DiZoglio
Joe Boncore
Mark Montigny
Former City Councilor Tito Jackson
@ the rally last night, I impressed upon young peaceful protestors how very vital their vote is @ every level & how normal is not good enough, we MUST do better. That is why I am supporting @joekennedy for Senate. We need a Senator who shows up, cares, listens & acts. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/TNe5Zf27X2
— Tito Jackson (@titojackson) June 3, 2020
Boston Activist Monica Cannon-Grant
“I think oftentimes we have people advocate for us but they never want to talk to us,” said Monica Cannon-Grant. “They talk about our community but they don’t come visit and actually get to know the people and see what the real disparities are. One of the things I appreciated about Joe was that he was honest about the parts he was unaware about, and he was willing and open to learn. He was willing to listen to the people who are actually doing the work. With Joe, one of the things I appreciated the most was that he went on a tour of just listening. It was a listening tour.”
(source)
Former Governor Bill Weld
It might not be the endorsement @joekennedy is looking for, but the former GOP governor of Massachusetts has some thoughts:
“I’m for Kennedy,” Bill Weld told Washington Post reporters today. “I’ve known him since the day he was born.”
From @AnnieLinskey: https://t.co/f41n4TcKbZ
— Matt Viser (@mviser) September 19, 2019
Merrow Manufacturing CEO Charlie Merrow
.@joekennedy here in Fall River w @merrow_machine CEO Charlie Merrow, who’s endorsing Kennedy. Says he’s put time into understanding South Coast manufacturing issues
Merrow has shifted to PPE production in recent months, hiring 85 people to make surgical gowns, masks etc #mapoli pic.twitter.com/UOq4CFJeCj
— Ted Nesi (@TedNesi) August 6, 2020
Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta
We need social and economic justice for all.
Join @DoloresHuerta and I for a conversation today at 4pm.https://t.co/l9IC5vkJv9
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) August 5, 2020