| See updated edit below
Congressman Bill Delahunt will NOT run for re-election.
Democratic names to look for as replacements include former Hingham Selectman Phil Edmundson, State Senator Robert O'Leary who represents the Cape and Islands, Norfolk County DA William Keating, and State Rep. Jamie Murphy of Weymouth.
Get ready for a wild summer of politicking along the coast~from Quincy to the Cape and Islands on both sides~ Democratic and Republican.
Bill Delahunt has done a yeoman's job as our Congressman and he has my thanks and gratitude for his service.
Last night at the monthly South Shore Democratic Caucus meeting, State Senator Robert O'Leary who represents the Cape and Islands, introduced himself to local South Shore activists and told those gathered( all who were waiting to hear from State Party Chair John Walsh as the scheduled speaker) that he would run if Bill Delahunt decided to with draw from the race. When O'Leary began speaking it was not known that Delahunt had made the decision to withdraw.
O'Leary related his legislative and personal work background:strong on environmental and educational issues( he is a history teacher/prof at Mass Maritime Academy) such as being instrumental in creating the Cape Cod landbank which was the precursor to the creation of the Community Preservation Act; he essentially wrote the zoning requirements and regulations for 'ocean's management' because of dealing with issues such as Cape Wind( which the federal government now heavily relies on as a template across the country) and he worked very hard on the latest Education Reform Act that Governor Patrick just signed. He was able to announce that MA is now one of 12 finalists for the federal program "Race to the Top' because of passing that legislation which may qualify us for releasing to MA $285 million dollars in federal education funds.
He took questions from the audience and came out strong for passing the health reform legislation because it is a starting point and that if passed it would need to be revisited as soon as possible because of unsustatinable rising costs. He came out for malpractise reform as a significant way to contain rising costs due to practising 'defensive medicine'. He was also for a public option but stressed passing a bill even without one.
He came with nomination papers~ his sister was in the audience as a resident from Duxbury and they let activists know that 4000 signatures are required to get all those interested in this seat on the ballot.
For those that were in attendance - chime in if I missed anything. |
