Massachusetts Peace Action (MAPA), the largest grassroots peace advocacy organization in the state, announces endorsements for six candidates running for Congress or the State Legislature. Each of these candidates have shown a commitment to building peace through supporting diplomacy over war, opposing ICE violence at home, and moving money from the military industrial complex to our communities. See our first round of endorsements.
Jonathan Paz – US Congress, MA-05
Jonathan Paz is a former Waltham city councilor and Mayoral candidate challenging Katherine Clark for the US House. Clark is the House minority whip, meaning she is one of the highest ranking Democrats in Congress, so any credible challenge to her is going to draw considerable attention.
Clark has been opposed to MAPA’s values. She is one of the two largest recipients of AIPAC money in the State and has been silent or supportive on issues of war and genocide.
Paz is running a campaign centered on progressive economic reforms including medicare for all, a move to Green Energy, and universal childcare. He is centering immigrant rights and the immigrant experience in his messaging. He witnessed his father being deported at age 14 and has called to abolish ICE, something Clark has not done.
MA-05 is largely a suburban district. It includes the Western half of Cambridge, and the cities of Waltham, Framingham, Malden, Medford, and Revere. The district includes many smaller, wealthier towns like Belmont and Lincoln
Jamie Belsito – US Congress, MA-06
With Seth Moulton running for Senate, the 6th district is open. Jamie Belsito, a past MAPA endorsee in her previous challenge to Moulton, is running an anti-establishment and pro-peace campaign.
She is up against Dan Koh, a former Biden admin official who has the former President’s endorsement. Koh is the largest fundraiser in the race and has taken the establishment lane. Tram Nguyen, an incumbent State Rep is also contesting the race; she has the endorsements of many of her Beacon Hill colleagues. Tram is running as the progressive, but her positions on Israel/Palestine and other peace issues are inadequate; we trust in Belsito’s strong record on peace and progressive issues.
Andrea James – Governor
With no challenger in the Democratic primary, the only opposition to Maura Healey’s reelection bid is in the general. Andrea James is running on an independent ballot line. James, the founder of Families for Justice as Healing, has a history of working with MAPA on issues of racial justice. She is a key advocate against the construction of new prisons and is a supporter of the rights of incarcerated people. We believ James’s campaign has the opportunity to pressure and move Healey on key issues including on her inaction on Massachusetts’s collaboration with ICE, the new women’s prison in Framingham, and giveaways to utility companies.
Lorena Betts – Massachusetts House, 16th Middlesex
Lorena Betts is running for State Rep against conservative democratic incumbent Rodney Elliot. Elliot had tried to run for State Senate in the open seat created by Ed Kennedy’s passing, but lost to progressive State Rep Vanna Howard. Now Elliot is having to defend his seat.
Betts has been organizing for peace issues in the Merrimack Valley for years and has cultivated a strong and positive relationship with MAPA. She is running a serious campaign against corruption and complacency on Beacon Hill.
Opposing the Tax Cut Ballot Questions
Supporting the Rent Control Ballot Question
If passed this measure would limit rent increases to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. It exempts owner occupied buildings of 4 units or less. New buildings are exempt for their first ten years.