endorsement

The Democratic Primary to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Anthony Galluccio will be held on April 13. The following four candidates sought the endorsement of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville, responding to our questionnaire. At our endorsement meeting, no candidate received more than 2/3 of the vote, the threshold needed to win our endorsement.

• Michael Albano: [responses] [website]
• Tim Flaherty: [responses] [website]
• Dan Hill: [responses] [website]
• Denise Simmons: [responses] [website]

Immediate Release – September 26, 2009
For more information, please contact Marty Martinez, PDS Chairperson at 617-256-5641 or chair at pdsomerville dot org.

Somerville, MA - The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) has made endorsements in the contested Alderman-at-Large race. PDS is proud to endorse incumbents Bill White and Dennis Sullivan for reelection, and challenger Luis Morales. Each candidate brings something different to this race and the PDS membership voted to support those perspectives.

West Somerville resident and PDS Endorsement Chair Ade Baptista said that for the members the choice was clear. "Just as our endorsed candidates did for ward alderman and school committee, each of these candidates sought our endorsement and took the time to share their views with our membership, come to our endorsement meeting to answer questions and talk about their progressive background and experiences. Our members are impressed with their credentials."

"This is the second time we have endorsed Alderman at Large Bill White and we are very proud to do so. He continues to be a strong voice for open and accountable government and we know that we have a strong progressive leader on the Board of Aldermen with him present." said PDS Chairman Marty Martinez. "Our membership was pleased to see Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan seek our endorsement once again. Dennis made a strong case that he works hard to be accessible to all of the residents of the city and that he believes he brings a progressive agenda to the board. Finally, Luis Morales would bring a fresh perspective to the board and the PDS members present felt that his personal story and background would give voice to many of the residents in our community who are not engaged in local government. As a challenger, he would bring a much needed perspective to City Hall. We are proud to endorse each of these three candidates."

PDS invited all Alderman-at-Large candidates to submit a written response detailing their positions on a variety of issues. Four of the five candidates responded. Candidates were asked to respond to important issues facing this district including thoughts on local issues, the use of the Powerhouse School, ways to engage community residents and ideas for making their respective elected bodies more open and accessible. Their responses are posted on the PDS website at www.pdsomerville.org.

Immediate Release - August 1, 2009
For more information, please contact Marty Martinez, PDS Chairperson at 617-256-5641 or chair at pdsomerville dot org org.

Somerville, MA - The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) has made endorsements in three contested ward races. For the School Committee, PDS is proud to endorse Ward 5 incumbent Mark Niedergang and Ward 4 challenger Christine Rafal. In the only contested Alderman's race, PDS endorses Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz for reelection to that seat. All three candidates sought the endorsement by completing a questionnaire that highlighted their views and expressed their plans for serving the residents of our city. The members overwhelmingly voted to endorse each candidate and now plan to work to elect them.

West Somerville resident and PDS Endorsement Chair Ade Baptista said that for the members the choice was clear. "Each of these candidates took the time to share their views with our membership, they came to our meeting and expressed a commitment to open government that is accountable to the residents of the city. The membership is very enthused to support both Alderman Gewirtz and School Committeeman Niedergang for reelection and to elect a new voice for parents and children in Christine Rafal for the Ward 4 School Committee seat."

PDS Chairman, Marty Martinez said the Ward 4 race is an important one. "We have the chance to elect another strong community voice to the School Committee. Christine is a parent of a child at the Healey school, she is a former teacher and is dedicated to bringing more resources to our schools. She understands the great things already happening in our schools and the areas where more development is needed. Christine will be an active addition to the school committee and will do a great job representing the residents of Winter Hill and the Ten Hills neighborhood."

PDS invited both candidates in each of the three races to submit a written response detailing their positions on a variety of issues. Candidates were asked to respond to important issues facing this district including thoughts on local issues, the use of the Powerhouse School, ways to engage community residents and ideas for making their respective elected bodies more open and accessible. The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are excited to endorse these candidates and put our collective efforts behind their campaigns.

Somerville, MA - The Progressive Democrats of Somerville have weighed in on two key ballot questions in the November election. PDS members voted to support the Vote NO on Question 1 campaign which is working hard to defeat the elimination of the state income tax. PDS members know how dire the elimination of the state income tax would be to our schools and other critical services. PDS Vice-Chairperson Rachel Heller summed it up by saying, "Just imagine if your family lost 40% of its budget next year, what kind of impact would that have on what you can afford? Our city cannot afford this kind of budget catastrophe."

PDS members also voted to support the Vote YES on Question 3 campaign that is working to eliminate greyhound dog racing in Massachusetts. Thirty-four (34) other states have outlawed greyhound racing and proponents of this initiative in Massachusetts are working to end this sport that caused over 800 greyhounds to be injured in violent and sometimes fatal collisions since 2002.

Somerville, MA - The Progressive Democrats of Somerville has endorsed Rep. Carl Sciortino for re-election in the 34th Middlesex District (Somerville/Medford) House race. PDS members were impressed by Sciortino's hard work on behalf of the district on a variety of issues including working for increased local aid for education, advocating for the extension of the Green Line and his continued efforts on behalf of all the residents of the district.

Ward 7 Resident and PDS Endorsement Chair, Barry Rafkind, is one of those constituents who enthusiastically supports returning Sciortino to the State House. "From closing corporate tax loopholes to supporting mass transit to helping to increase local aid, Rep. Sciortino has proven himself to be a hard working representative and has accomplished a great deal in his time in office. It is clear to me that our district needs his leadership on Beacon Hill."

PDS, which voted unanimously to endorse Sciortino at its June General Meeting, invited both candidates in this race to submit a written response detailing their positions on a variety of issues. Candidates were asked to respond to important issues facing this district including thoughts on the Green Line extension, ways to increase support for public education and ideas for more accountability in government.

Join PDS in supporting Rep. Sciortino's campaign by emailing endorsements at pdsomerville dot org or check out more information about the candidate at www.electcarl.org.

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to announce their endorsement decisions for Somerville's School Committee races:

• Adam Sweeting for Ward 3 School Committee, particularly for a degree of engagement and insight impressive in a first-time candidate. [link to questionnaire responses]
• Mark Niedergang for Ward 5 School Committee, particularly for his leadership in long-range planning and his tendency to ask probing questions. [link to questionnaire responses]
• Paul Bockelman for Ward 6 School Committee, particularly for the steps he has taken in informing and engaging his constituents in Ward 6. [link to questionnaire responses]
• Mary Jo Rossetti for Ward 7 School Committee, particularly for her hard work both at the city and state level towards MCAS reform. [link to questionnaire responses]

PDS is proud to support all four of these candidates and looks forward to working with them toward our mutual goals for the city.

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to announce the following endorsements:

Joe Lynch for Ward 5 Alderman [http://www.lynchforalderman.com]

Joe Lynch has worked behind the scenes in community revitalization issues such as the extension of the Community Path, Maxpac, and the Green Line extension. His support for broadcasting meetings of planning and zoning board meetings will create greater transparency in government. Joe Lynch is the kind of problem solver and independent thinker we need on the Board of Alderman.

Rachel Heller for Ward 7 Alderman [http://www.rachelheller.com]

Rachel Heller as the Policy Director for the Senate Housing Committee brings expertise and commitment to affordable housing to Somerville. She is not only a strong supporter of greater transparency in government but has worked to increase the involvement of homeless and formerly homeless parents in the state budget process. Rachel Heller skills as an organizer and consensus builder would be a great benefit to the Board of Alderman.

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to announce the following endorsements:

Fred Berman for Alderman-at-Large [www.fredatlarge.net]

Fred Berman has been a tireless organizer and participant in community groups working to make Somerville a better place for all of its inhabitants to live. Among his notable accomplishments are helping negotiate the Assembly Square settlement and helping bring the Green Line to Somerville.

Bill White for Alderman-at-Large [www.aldermanwhite.org]

Bill White continues to serve constituents across the city with his sharp attention to detail and incisive knowledge of issues concerning Somerville. He has been a great positive force in matters of planning and development, working to ensure that the community has had a voice at Assembly Square, Union Square, the Maxpak site, and many others.

Rebekah Gewirtz for Ward 6 Alderman [www.rebekahgewirtz.org]

Rebekah Gewirtz is a long-time advocate of transparent, open, and accountable local government, and has delivered on those values during her time as Ward 6 Alderman, particularly through her regular newsletters and promotion of the Davis Square Task Force and David Area Resident Business Initiative. A major focus of her work in office has been affordable housing, a major issue both now and in the future as Somerville continues to develop.

PDS has decided not to endorse in the Mayoral race: may the best candidate win.

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to endorse Jamie Eldridge in the upcoming special election for the MA-05 seat in the US House of Representatives.

We salute Jamie Eldridge's history of successful progressive
action, particularly:
* his success as a publicly financed "Clean Elections" candidate
* his work in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on education, affordable housing, environmental issues, open government, health care, and election reform
* his hard work in the struggle for equal marriage
* his history of engaging grassroots Democrats and other progressive organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Endorsements Chair, The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS)
endorsements at pdsomerville dot org
www.pdsomerville.org

PDS Endorses Marty Martinez for Somerville Alderman-at-Large

Somerville, MA February 27, 2007 In its monthly Tuesday meeting, The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) endorsed Marty Martinez for Alderman-at-Large.

"I am proud and honored to have received the endorsement of The Progressive Democrats of Somerville," said Marty. "PDS shares my vision of a Somerville where every child has the opportunity to succeed, where we live in a more affordable community, and where local government is open and responsive to all."