"Dolan Hasn't Let Up", Endorsement-palooza, Raise the Age, Caucuses, the Arlington Cake, and More!
Hi Everyone,
“Dolan hasn’t let up…”, said State House News this week in, "A Shift Looms on the Governor's Council", a story on all the primary races for Governor’s Council, calling this race “the stiffest challenge”. They're right. I haven’t let up and I won’t until the last vote is counted.
I’ve pulled papers, as they say, and am collecting signatures to get my name on the ballot. Thanks to everyone helping to collect signatures! Yesterday I went to the Wellesley dump, collected two sheets of signatures and loved seeing how people react when they learn they have a say in who our judges are through their Governor’s Councillor. Once people know what’s at stake in this race, they’re on board. We're having a house party in Wellesley on March 21, 2024. If you'd like to be a part of it, email me here!
We’ve had wonderful events this month! In Arlington they made a wonderful cake that said, “Go, Mara!” In Brookline surprise guest Rep. Tommy Vitolo announced his endorsement.
I am so proud and honored to have so many endorsements from some of our finest elected officials, including State Senators Mike Barrett, Will Brownsberger, and Cindy Friedman, House Majority Leader Mike Moran, State Reps. Tom Stanley and Tommy Vitolo, Danielle Allen, Allston-Brighton Community Activist Andrew Beck Lew, IBEW Local 103, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2168, and Brookline PAX. Watch my endorsements page. I have more great endorsements I will announce very soon!
I was thrilled to hear Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll express her support for raising the age of Juvenile Court jurisdiction. I have represented hundreds and hundreds of children in our Juvenile Courts, and thousands of emerging adults in our District and Superior Courts. Though my opponent denies the science of brain development, I know the science is correct. In fact, the Supreme Judicial Court recently cited the science of brain development in its recent historic decision to hold that life without the possibility of parole is unconstitutional for those under 21, making us the first state to do so. Because of that, and because of my professional experience representing children and emerging adults, I support raising the age of Juvenile Court jurisdiction. It is proven to reduce recidivism, lower crime, and improve public safety. My opponent disagrees, and at a confirmation hearing on January 17, 2024 said, “It should stay the way it is." Take a listen.
The State House News story also pointed out that my opponent is self-funded, with no contributions from voters in the district for years. She usually puts in about 30K on each campaign. I’m very proud of my grass roots support, and know all of you are worth more than anything she can buy. But I do need your help to win. Please make a contribution today, give what you can, and consider a monthly contribution. A small monthly contribution may not be noticed by you, but it will by the voters you make it possible for us to reach.
It’s caucus season, and this week I went to Newton’s eight ward caucuses, all held in one day. It was a great opportunity to talk about juvenile justice, how our courts need to respond better to people with substance use disorder, my complete commitment to upholding abortion rights, low-income defendants rights, and the kind of judges I want my clients to have. Special shout out to my Newton endorsers, Newton City Councilors Vicki Danberg, Andreae Downs, Becky Grossman, Andrea Kelley, Alison Leary, and Rick Lipof, former Newton City Councilors Alicia Bowman, Deb Crossley, and Holly Ryan, and State Committee Man Jay Harney.
I’m looking forward to being a part of caucuses all over the district. In the next two weeks I’ll be in Acton, Arlington, Billerica, Boston’s Ward 4 and Ward 5, Harvard, Southborough, and Stow. If you'd like to find out when your local caucus is taking place, check out the Mass Dems caucus page. Looking forward to seeing you at the caucuses!
Take Care,
Mara
