News
Democrats rally to support Michlewitz by Jake Seiner
MySouthEnd.com ContributorWednesday May 27, 2009
Support for Aaron Michlewitz, the winner of last week’s 3rd Suffolk District Democratic Primary, appears to be strong within the Democratic community.
Thirty-five Democratic Party members, including Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino, attended a unity breakfast Wednesday morning, May 27 at Atelier 505 on Tremont Street, to help rally support behind the 30-year-old candidate.
"Aaron is exactly the kind of addition we need to the legislature," said Patrick. "We need people who are reform-minded, people who believe in change and will stand up for it, people who are going to challenge the status quo on Beacon Hill, because that’s what the public wants and that’s what the Commonwealth needs.
"It was a competitive field for the nomination with a lot of good candidates. Aaron worked really hard and he’s still got work ahead of him in the general election, but we’re all here to help him."
"I’ve known Aaron for a long time," said Menino. "He was one of my employees and I watched him at the State House -- how he helped people. I’ve seen the way he conducts himself in the campaign and he does a very good job. He relates to people."
Among those in attendance were Brian Ross, Lucy Rivera and Ryan Higginson, all candidates who fell short of Aaron’s 2,116 votes, about 50.3 percent of the tallies. Both Ross and Rivera stated that they were behind Aaron, mostly in the interest of the Democratic Party.
"I’m obviously behind him," said Ross. "He was elected by the voters and that’s the most important thing, so I’m obviously supportive. We want to make sure we keep the seat in the Democratic Party."
"I’m a good member of the State Democratic Committee," said Rivera. "I feel it’s important for us Democrats to support our Democratic nominee, and that’s why I’m here."
Susan Passoni, the fourth candidate in the Democratic Primary who lost to Michlewitz by 4.06 percent of the vote, was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. However, according to Michlewitz, Passoni and he had talked Tuesday evening, May 26, and agreed to work together moving forward.
"[Passoni and I] did have a nice conversation last night at the [Ellis South End] Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting," said Michlewitz. "We’ve agreed to work together on future endeavors and going forward, I hope that’s the case.
"I’ve always respected Susan for her commitment and her passion in effecting change in Massachusetts -- positive change. Having seen her run twice before -- on the sidelines I’ve watched her -- and now having run myself and knowing what it takes, I respect her even more. I’m looking forward to hopefully working with her."
Passoni did not immediately respond to calls from South End News.
The important thing, according to District 2 City Councilor Bill Linehan, is that all the Democratic Party members be on the same page moving forward.
"I think it was a well-contested race," said Linehan. "It’s important that members of the Democratic Party all fall in behind their candidate. I’m excited for Aaron and I think he’ll do a great job."
It’s important that the Democratic Party works together towards common goals, according to Menino.
"It’s important we all come together," said Menino. "With so many important issues out there, we get behind one candidate so we can move our agenda forward. The agenda is about helping people and about helping the city of Boston in very difficult economic times."
"There’s a lot of common ambition in this room," said Patrick. "A lot of interest in strengthening our economy, improving our environmental justice, moving on affordable housing and public safety and also strengthening our sense of community so we stay connected to each other. It’s not just our policies -- it’s our politics."
Although the meeting was mostly a chance for Democrats to meet and chat amongst each other, a few elected officials did speak to the crowd, including Patrick, 9th Suffolk District state Representative Byron Rushing and 2nd Suffolk District state Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz.
"This was a great primary election for a community that I care deeply about," said Chang-Diaz. "I’m very proud to be able to be here to support Aaron. It was just a few months ago that he and I first met and we sat down and got to know one another a little bit. It was apparent to me from that first meeting that he had very strong command of the issues facing the district and maybe even more pronounced than that, a clear love of being with the people of the district, a love of the neighborhood and a real belief in public service."
The South End, represented
Leading Democrats came out to support Michlewitz (second from left) at Atelier 505 early Wednesday morning, including (left to right) City Councilor Bill Linehan, state Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, and state Rep. Byron Rushing.
|
|
|
Email
Print
Share