Jake Auchincloss: Coronavirus Response Remains Top Issue

NEWTON, MA — Congressman-elect Jake Auchincloss plans to prioritize response to the coronavirus, and getting to know his district, he said Thursday, as he prepares to represent the 4th Congressional District in January.

In the race for outgoing U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy's seat, the moderate Democrat claimed victory near 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, with a lead of 65 percent to 35 percent over Republican Julie Hall. In the days since, he said he's been refreshing his computer screen, looking for the updated presidential results, like much of the country.

Auchincloss, a Newton City Councilor, said he's already been in contact with Kennedy to plan his transition into the role that Kennedy is leaving in January.

"The very short term focus will be on the rigorous transition with Congressman Kennedy's office, so we don’t miss a beat with handling constituent issues," Auchincloss said.

The congressman-elect said he planned to work with area scientists, teaching hospitals and doctors to figure out a way to continue scaling coronavirus testing.

"We’ve got to be able to scale of testing, so we can safely reopen schools and kick-start the economy," he said. "Senior citizens and families are frustrated and suffering, and we’re heading in to a winter that looks like it may be the hardest yet, when it comes to the coronavirus."

Auchincloss said he saw testing and contract tracing as the path to being able to safely reopen the economy while the country waits for a vaccine.

"We can’t just sit on our hands waiting for the vaccine, we need the testing to get back to normal as much as possible," he said.

Auchincloss said his first year in Congress he planned to spend a lot of time working his way through the district, which runs from Newton and parts of Brookline, Wellesley and Hopkinton down to the South Coast, to listen and build partnerships.

"This job starts with being a good listener," he said. "I’m really proud of the strong broad base of support that I got during the campaign, but there’s a lot more to do there."

Auchincloss grew up in Newton and attended the public schools, leaving for college and then the Marine Corps. He returned to Newton shortly after the Marines and is now he and his wife Michelle are raising their small son Teddy in Newtonville where they live with their dog Donut.

Public service runs in his family, as multiple relatives on his dad's side worked in the Roosevelt and Kennedy administrations. Now, his dad serves as Dr. Anthony Fauci's top deputy.

Auchincloss said during his campaign that coronavirus relief and recovery was the most pressing issue facing the district, as was funding for education.

His other goals include fighting racial injustice, protecting women’s reproductive rights, combating climate change and a transition to a clean energy economy. Auchincloss said he also wants to work to ban assault weapons.

"There are deep longstanding progressive priorities that I want to be a champion for in Congress," he said. "I’m going to be a member of Congress who brings people together to get things done north and south of the district and in Washington DC."

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how .