Vote Evan MacKay for State Rep from Cambridge!
Evan is the peace candidate in this race and a leader in the movement to reform an undemocratic State House.
Evan MacKay, a Mass. Peace Action Board member, is running for state representative in the 25th Middlesex District in Cambridge to fight for a transparent, accountable state government that works for the many, not the few. MAPA enthusiastically endorsed Evan in April.
Evan (they / them) is a union leader, pro-democracy organizer, and a Harvard teaching fellow. As a Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commissioner and the former president of the Harvard Graduate Students’ Union, UAW Local 5118, they’ve been organizing in Cambridge around issues of social, racial, environmental, and economic justice for more than a decade. Evan has consistently stood up for peace issues at the heart of MAPA’s mission.
The MacKay campaign’s momentum has been increasing as the Sept. 1 primary date approaches. Evan recently won the endorsement of the Mass. Teachers Association (MTA), the largest and one of the most progressive unions in the state. And more than 100 people from many different constituencies came out to canvass for Evan last Saturday, a remarkable turnout that showed the campaign’s deep grassroots support.
What are some of the issues that have ignited this campaign?
Peace / Palestine
One of MAPA’s major legislative priorities – a bill to divest our state from genocide in Gaza – never had a chance to be voted on the State House floor, despite receiving strong public support. Instead, it was killed in committee without a public vote; advocates were never even given the courtesy of knowing whether legislators on the committee supported or opposed the bill. Evan will fight to divest our state from genocide; they were the first Cambridge resident to speak in public comment in favor of a ceasefire resolution at the Cambridge City Council in the fall of 2023.
Economic and Racial Justice
Evan has organized for working people in the community and, in the legislature, will continue to fight for:
- a tax system where we tax the rich so that everyone pays their Fair Share;
- stronger protections for immigrant families and an end to collaboration with ICE; right now, MA is the only blue state with a voluntary collaboration agreement with ICE;
- tenant protections and more housing, especially affordable housing, so that workers, families, students and elders can stay in our homes;
- care at every stage of life, including affordable child care, health care, and elder care, with fair wages for the workers who make care possible;
- clean air & water, safe & reliable public transit, and ambitious climate investments; ending tax loopholes for sale of private jets;
- improved worker protections, including treating gig workers as employees, collective bargaining for State House workers, and support for adjunct faculty;
- opposing prison expansion and advocating for the rights of incarcerated people.
Transparency
Massachusetts has the reputation of being one of the most progressive states in the country; however, beneath the surface, you’ll find corruption left unchecked and complacency in the face of the Trump administration permitted by conservative politicians. Despite a Democratic trifecta with a super majority in both chambers of the legislature, the Massachusetts State House ranks dead last in effectiveness, passing the fewest number of bills of any state in the country. At the root of this problem is a lack of transparency and accountability: a history of secret committee votes that are used to kill legislation before they can reach the State House floor; legislative leaders that exempted their chambers from public records law; and State House leadership that continues to stall the audit backed by 72% of voters in 2024.
Evan has been a leader in the ongoing campaign to make the State House more democratic. For years, they have organized to improve its transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness to constituents. Widespread voter and media outrage over the legislature’s secretive procedures was considered a significant factor in Evan’s near upset of sitting Rep. Majorie Decker in 2024, when she eked out a victory by only 41 votes. (In 2024 and 2025, Rep. Decker voted 100 percent in line with the Speaker of the House, according to Bob Katzen’s Beacon Hill Roll Call.) Evan has challenged corruption within their own union, the UAW, and won. In fighting for their constituents, they will be willing to challenge House leadership when necessary.
The Choice for Peace
Many of us used to support Rep. Marjorie Decker. There are important things to appreciate about her background, such as her advocacy for maternal health and cash assistance to low-income families, and her decades of experience. But many of us are increasingly concerned with her votes on Beacon Hill, her failure to stand up to powerful politicians who do the wrong thing, her refusal to publicly champion a ceasefire or to publicly attend and support the numerous pro-Palestine and pro-peace events in her district. We are disappointed that she accepts campaign contributions from for-profit real estate developers, and that she receives fundraising support from Rep. Katherine Clark, whose largest donors include AIPAC. Rep. Decker does not co-sponsor the bill on divestment filed by Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven. The past few years have clarified that it can be difficult to stand on the side of peace. We have seen politicians cave in the face of pressure, and we have seen former supporters of peace choose the politically convenient path.
We believe that this is the time for change. MAPA did not endorse in this race in 2024. The outcome of that contest was incredibly close. The urgency of this moment has led us to enthusiastically endorse Evan MacKay. We urge all our members, supporters, and allies to support Evan and encourage others to do the same.
Contact the campaign to learn more about Evan’s background and positions, volunteer in these last crucial weeks, or make a donation. Remember to vote for Evan on Sept. 1st primary day!
Website: www.evanforcambridge.com
Volunteer: https://www.evanforcambridge.com/join-the-movement
Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mackay
By Sam Levine and Jackie King, for MAPA