Massachusetts Peace Action endorses Jeromie Whalen for Congress in Congressional District 1 over incumbent Richard Neal.
Jeromie Whalen has proven himself to be both a fierce advocate of the same values and policies that MAPA fights for, and also a skilled communicator and campaigner, ready to take on Richard Neal. There is a growing resentment for the democratic establishment of which Neal is emblematic. Neal has sat in Congress since 1989. 75% of his campaign funds are taken from PACs including the right-leaning, pro-Israel, AIPAC. With an ingrown base of support that he has counted to back him without much question or controversy for 36 years, he has grown complacent. He consistently fails to respond except in the most pro forma way to any questioning of his established positions and steadfastly fails to meet with any of his constituents who challenge him. At 76, Neal’s age, tenure, static views and even more static though well funded base, make him vulnerable to a challenge from the left.
Jeromie Whalen is a seasoned high school teacher with strong roots in Western Massachusetts. He has strong connections to activists in Western Massachusetts who believe that he will be the most viable candidate to take on Richard Neal. He is committed to seeing this race through and not dropping out, and he already has a team of staff and volunteers supporting him. Since deciding to run, he has made it a point to turn out and turn up at events that represent a broad spectrum of his proposed constituents, from veterans’ events, to No Kings Day, to Palestine standouts. He also has a background in community television. And he already has put together a campaign staff that combines seasoned staff with some newcomers. Read Jeromie’s MAPA questionnaire response here and his Progressive Democrats of America questionnaire response here.
On policy, Jeromie is supportive of peace and justice at home and abroad. He is a vocal supporter of Medicare for All, universal pre-k, rent control, viable public transportation, strengthening unions, and a Green New Deal. In stark contrast to Richard Neal, Jeromie wants to overturn Citizens United and opposes corporate PACs.
Jeromie says boldly that he supports abolishing ICE, and he stands in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. He will support immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.
On foreign policy, Jeromie calls out the genocide in Gaza and would vote to cut all military aid to Israel. Jeromie met Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia student activist facing potential deportation from ICE, in Syria. Jeromie was outspoken in calling for Khalil’s release while he was in ICE detention. Jeromie is also in support of lifting the sanctions placed on the ICC and improving US cooperation with the court.
On the defense budget, Jeromie points out that the Pentagon has failed multiple audits and that while the defense budget has boomed over the years while sectors like education have been left behind. Jeromie will support more congressional oversight over the Pentagon and decrease its budget.
Jeromie Whalen is a trusted advocate for peace and justice.