Newsletter: Reproductive Equity Now endorsement | All in for Harris | Gun Sense Candidate Recognition | Voting Has Begun!

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Reproductive Equity Now endorses me for State Representative

I am proud to be endorsed by Reproductive Equity Now in the race for the 12th Middlesex Massachusetts House of Representatives seat. 

Reproductive Equity Now (formerly known as NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts) works across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire to expand and protect access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care, including abortion, pregnancy and maternal medicine, child care, gender-affirming care, and more.

I’m honored to have the endorsement of Reproductive Equity Now because they have been so committed to building on our achievements for abortion rights in Massachusetts by proposing tangible expansions of legal protections and services – for both our own residents and residents traveling from other states – and by supporting comprehensive birthing justice and maternal healthcare campaigns. Reproductive Equity Now understands that Massachusetts should be a beacon for the nation on this issue at a time like this, and that we need to elect more reproductive equity champions, who will make these issues a priority.

“We’re proud to endorse Bill Humphrey for State Representative in 2024,” says Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “As we’ve seen in the last two years since the Dobbs decision, anti-abortion politicians are determined to criminalize and eradicate all forms of reproductive health care, including abortion, IVF, gender-affirming care, and contraception. We cannot stand idly by as attacks on our bodily autonomy continue to mount. Reproductive freedom is on the ballot in every race across New England this election. That is why it is so important that we elect reproductive equity champions up and down the ballot this year, and why we’re proud to support Bill Humphrey who is committed to leading on a bold reproductive equity agenda for Massachusetts.”

Since day one of this campaign, I have had a comprehensive platform plank on reproductive freedom on my campaign website.

As over 20 state legislatures across the country have already taken steps to strip away abortion rights and critical reproductive health care, strong pro-reproductive equity leadership on Beacon Hill is more important than ever before. Reproductive Equity Now is proud to endorse candidates who will ensure Massachusetts remains a beacon for reproductive freedom post-Roe, and continue to lead with creative, bold, and unequivocally pro-repro policy. Learn more at https://reproequitynow.org/maendorsements.

Their endorsement adds to the growing list of policy advocacy organizations who have vetted and endorsed my campaign for State Representative this year, including the Massachusetts Sierra Club, Progressive Massachusetts, Mass Alliance, the Mass Nurses Association, 1199 SEIU, SEIU 509, the Newton Teachers Association, UAW Region 9A, Ironworkers Local 7, and the Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts, with additional support from several other unions.

 

Gun Sense Candidate

I'm proud to be recognized as a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate in 2024. (They do not make endorsements.)

Massachusetts has been one of the safer states when it comes to gun violence, and that is no coincidence. Our rational laws and regulations are the reason why. And there is always room to improve, which will continue to reduce gun violence (including suicides and intimate partner violence) and accidental discharges (including by children). Learn more at my gun control platform plank online.

 

A momentous month in American politics

The past month was perhaps the most dramatic and unpredictable every week of any in 50 years. There has been a palpable revitalization and renewed excitement in the Democratic Party. As an active member of my Ward 5 Democratic Committee and a former member of the Newton Democrats Executive Committee, I am inspired as I see people rushing to get involved in our democracy again, especially my fellow young people.

I’m looking forward to electing Vice President Kamala Harris in November, an early Green New Deal supporter and an organized labor-backed candidate like me. I’m focused in these next five weeks in doing everything I can to make sure Democrats and unenrolled voters in the 12th Middlesex District choose a progressive champion who will help bolster the Democratic Party’s resolve even further to take the fight to these out-of-touch and dangerous conservatives in the Republican Party – and bring in younger generations of volunteers and members. After September 3rd’s state primary, it is on to November with our new national ticket.

I am grateful that President Biden (a fellow University of Delaware graduate like me!) chose to pass the torch to a new generation for the greater good. We owe much to the elected officials who go before us, and it is also important to periodically renew the party leadership and the ranks of elected office with new voices and perspectives, so that our policy programs remain grounded in the ever-changing challenges and opportunities of daily life.

President Biden was younger than I am now when he was elected to the United States Senate from Delaware, and he served through several eras of incredible transformation in American life. We are now on the cusp of another such era, with stark choices ahead in meeting the emergencies of a changing climate. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves to get to work, and I hope to bring a clarity of values and the interests of people of all ages to the debates on those decisions.

 

Sample ballots for the September 3rd primary

In the 12th Middlesex District in Newton and Brookline, in the middle of your September 3rd ballot, there will be a section for the open State Representative seat (also known as “Representative in the General Court”). It looks like this and you will see that I am listed first:

You may only vote for one candidate and only one candidate will advance to November. There is no general election opponent filed to run, and so the winner of the September 3rd primary – the day after Labor Day – will presumably win the overall election. Now is your opportunity to choose.

If you have requested a mail-in ballot, you should be receiving those in the mail any day now if you have not already. Those must be received back by the local election offices before polls close on Tuesday September 3rd.

If you have not yet requested one, but wish to, please check out the info at the Newton or Brookline pages, depending on the municipality in which you live:

tinyurl.com/NewtonVBM2024

tinyurl.com/BrooklineVBM2024

There will also be early in-person voting at Newton City Hall and Brookline Town Hall in the final week of August.

I hope to earn your vote by Tuesday September 3rd, the day after Labor Day, to be your Democratic nominee for our next State Representative.

Learn more at billhumphrey.org – and please volunteer or donate if you are able.