BOSTON - On Tuesday, April 30, after weeks of door knocking, phone calls, and speaking with registered voters across Massachusetts, 1199SEIU members helped candidates in Massachusetts win victories in two key races in the Democratic Primary.



1199SEIU members endorsed Congressman Ed Markey for the U.S. Senate seat and, in Boston, State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry received the support of union members for the state senate seat. Members enthusiastically came out to support both candidates.



"[Linda Dorcena Forry] supports our communities, our schools, and healthcare workers," said Marie D. Brun, a union member and environmental services worker at Boston Medical Center for 27 years. In the state senate race, every vote counted, as Forry won the primary by a margin of just under 400 votes.



“[Ed] Markey has what it takes. He's…the local man who has worked hard for many years…He is essentially a fearless leader who will be an asset in the Senate if elected,” said Deborah Killeen, an 1199SEIU member at Cape Cod Hospital who said she admires Markey for his stances on the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform, and the federal budget, among other issues.



Both Markey and Forry have been champions on key healthcare and homecare funding issues, fueling the enthusiasm of 1199SEIU members for the candidates.



On Primary Day, 1199SEIU members in several cities and towns across Massachusetts mobilized in support of Markey; in Boston, union members excitedly knocked on doors for Forry. From Lawrence to Boston to Lynn and Springfield, union members collectively knocked on more than 10,000 doors on April 29.



“I had families that motivated their [older] children to vote. People were grateful for what we were doing. There were many people who didn’t know about the election,” said Maggie Connors, a personal care attendant from Danvers who also took time off to become a member political organizer and door-knock for the last month.

PA_Canvassing_AudreyMalone_(8).jpg

Maggie said that she felt it was important to connect with voters on the issues that matter to them the most. Maggie spoke in Spanish to a woman about Ed Markey and his support for comprehensive immigration reform and his leadership role in holding British Petroleum (BP) accountable for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. She was able to persuade the woman to get out and vote for Markey based on his record on the issues.

“We moved a lot of people. People were very interested in Ed Markey. He’s more on our side, especially in the community that I live in. I really enjoyed talking to the people and educating them,” said Ana Matos, a member political organizer in Lawrence.



“I feel proud because we brought information to the people to change their life and tell them that we need to vote and raise our voices. We need to change our country,” said Johanna Montalvo, a member political organizer who said she was excited to empower others with knowledge and encourage them to vote.



In Boston, the enthusiasm for Linda Dorcena Forry was the same. This was a historic win for working people in Massachusetts. If elected in the May 28 general election, Forry will be the first Haitian American to ever serve in the state senate. She would also be the only black lawmaker currently serving in the state senate.



“Every vote counts. It was so good to get out there and speak to people about the importance of voting. Linda Dorcena Forry currently represents the Dorchester neighborhood. She stands with us on healthcare and a lot of issues that are important to us. I think she will do a great job in the senate, having the experience she has. I think she can take it to the next level,” said Rich Colon, who volunteered to knock on doors in support of both Markey and Forry in Boston.



“In Massachusetts, 1199SEIU members are not a special interest group. We are the neighbors, residents and caregivers who keep our cities and towns healthy, whether it’s homecare for seniors and people with disabilities – or ER care at Boston Medical Center,” said 1199SEIU Executive Vice President Veronica Turner. “We’re proud of the hard work we do every day providing quality care – and we are proud of the work we do on Election Day to support leaders like Linda Dorcena Forry and Ed Markey who respect the role caregivers play in our communities.”

Forry will face off against Republican candidate Joe Ureneck in the May 28 state senate election. Markey will face Republican candidate Gabriel Gomez in the June 25 special General Election for the seat. If you are interested in volunteering for one or both campaigns, please contact Julissa Jerez at 617-284-1146

- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/winning_together_1199seiu_members_get_out_the_vote_help_secure_victories_for_two_candidates#sthash.MdxpbHWf.dpuf