AG Coakley to Make Senate Run

Attorney General, Medford Resident Aspires to be 1st Female Senator from MA

Medford resident and Attorney General Martha Coakley officially announced her campaign for US Senate on Thursday, September 3.

Coakley, first elected to public office in 1998 as Middlesex District Attorney, boldly announced before any other candidate, including Joe Kennedy, who was expected to make a decision one way or another on Friday, September 4. Coakley has made the rounds in the media, doing television and print media interviews, and has said she has never waited to make a decision in her life based upon what someone else might or might not do.

The would-be US senator from Massachusetts would be the first female in state history to hold that office. She faces possible competition for the Democratic nomination from Joe Kennedy, and Congressmen Edward Markey, Mike Capuano, and Stephen Lynch, as well as former Congressman Marty Meehan.

Coakley will be the featured guest speaker at the Medford Democratic City and Ward Committee’s September meeting on Wednesday, September 9 at City Hall.  The event is free and open to the public.

Below is text of Coakley’s announcement on Thursday:

Good morning.

Today we in Massachusetts and those across the country face multiple and serious challenges: our economy remains stuck in severe recession; too many have lost homes, or jobs or both; too many more are at risk of losing them. Every one of those statistics has a name and personal story of loss and insecurity.

State and local governments face fiscal crisis; the cost of our health care system is on an unsustainable upward curve, yet seems to defy consensus on reform.

We also face a crisis of confidence: and we have lost our distinguished and tenacious Senator Ted Kennedy. We have depended upon him in the Commonwealth and in Washington for his leadership, his strength, and his sense of humor. As some have noted, we perhaps cannot fill his shoes, but must strive to follow in his footsteps.

The urgency of this time is clear. And that urgency drives my decision:

Today I announce my candidacy for the United States Senate.

I have decided to run for Senate because government should work well, and work for everyone. This is the promise on which our democracy is based, and I believe it’s time to renew that promise.

The performance of our government seems at times disheartening and discouraging. I believe now is the time to move beyond the idea of “good enough for government” and demand a new standard of excellence. I know that I need to prove to voters that I am the best candidate in this race, and I believe I can do that.

My story is like so many others across this state. I grew up in Western Massachusetts, in North Adams.

My dad owned a small insurance agency and my mom was a full time homemaker. They raised five children, and we walked to St. Joseph’s school. My parents instilled in us the importance of family and community, pitching in, and planning for the future. My mother always reminded us that life is too short not to enjoy it!

These values have directed me throughout my life and career, from my first job scooping ice cream at Howard Johnson’s, through my time as Attorney General. I have realized how lucky I have been to have opportunities and support that not everyone can take for granted.

I have been privileged over the past twenty plus years to serve the public: as an Assistant District Attorney, as a federal prosecutor fighting organized crime, as Middlesex District Attorney and today as your Massachusetts Attorney General.

Throughout my career I have worked to be an effective voice for the people of Massachusetts and to make sure our government works, and that it works for you. As Middlesex District Attorney, I sought justice for the victims of crimes, to make our homes, schools, and communities safer, and to ensure a fairer system for everyone.

As Attorney General, I represent the Commonwealth as well as the people of the Commonwealth. I took on Wall Street firms, recovering tens of millions of dollars, and addressed root causes of the foreclosure crisis.

We’ve enforced fair labor laws, advocated for lower utility and insurance rates, and obtained restitution for consumers and the Commonwealth from pharmaceutical companies and health insurers who drive up health care costs. We’ve protected consumers and kids from identity theft and sexual predators.

And now I hope to bring my experience to Washington.

It is for every person in this Commonwealth, each one with hopes and dreams large and small, that I want to go to Washington to represent the Commonwealth and – to make government work for you: to remove barriers, provide opportunities, and to renew the promise of our democracy.

We need strong leadership that will rebuild our economy so that it works for all of us – not just a privileged few.

We need strong leadership willing to tackle our toughest problems and get results: on health care reform, protecting the environment, providing for safety and protecting our civil rights.

I love this Commonwealth- from the Berkshires to Boston.

I want you to feel confident that you will have a new Senator representing you in Washington who understands and cares about your concerns; a Senator who will tackle our toughest problems, be fair, and make the tough decisions about what’s best for the Commonwealth.

And, those of you who know me know that when I take on a fight, I will not quit.

Most importantly, we have the opportunity to lead Massachusetts and the nation into the next great chapter of our history.

Thank you.