Newton Delegation Endorses Sen. Ed Markey Over Rep. Joe Kennedy

NEWTON, MA — Although it's still early days in the already competitive US. Senate race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy, of Newton, Newton's delegation of the Massachusetts legislature just formally endorced Markey.

The Newton delegation, made up of State Senator Cynthia Creem and State Representatives Kay Khan, Ruth B. Balser and John Lawn, endorsed him in his bid for re-election ahead of the 2020 Democratic primary, Markey announced Monday.

“Having worked with Senator Ed Markey for the past six years, we enthusiastically endorse him for re-election to the United States Senate,” said Creem, Balser, Khan and Lawn in a joint statement. “Senator Markey has taken the lead on issues that are priorities for us and our constituents, including: climate change; lawful, humane treatment for immigrants; inclusive economic opportunities; equal pay for equal work; universal access to healthcare; a woman’s right to choose; more funding for public schools and colleges; and equal internet access.”

Last month after some speculation Kennedy announced he was making a bid for Markey's U.S. Senate seat in the 2020 race. Massachusetts voters say this is going to be a tough call, and early polls indicate this could be close.

The two men don’t appear to differ much ideologically.

Markey was elected to the upper chamber in 2013 after serving in the House for nearly four decades. He's considered to be well-liked, and progressive. He is a champion of environmental issues (he co-sponsered the Green New Deal), and has pushed for legislation that would address the opioid epidemic, internet privacy concerns and what he calls the humanitarian crisis along the southern border. Kennedy is also considered to be a well-liked, and has been a vocal critic of the president, progressive member of Congress. He was first elected in 2012.

One of Kennedy's main premises for his challenge is a call for generational change, recalling that of the last congressional election when a number of younger candidates were voted into office. Markey is 73; Kennedy, 38.

But less than a month after Kennedy announced, Markey scored an endorsement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who at 29, became the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress last year.

Markey has also gotten the support of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the official organization tasked with electing a Democratic majority to the Senate.

Other candidates who will face off against Markey with Kennedy include Brookline labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan and former Walgreens executive and author Steve Pemberton.

READ MORE:

• Candidate For Congress Jesse Mermell: Civic Engagement Runs Deep (October)
• Ihssane Leckey Of Brookline Runs For Congress (October)

• MA Treasurer Deb Goldberg Eyes Joe Kennedy's Seat
• Arrival VR: Ihssane Shares Her Immigration Story (2019)
• Joe Kennedy Mulling Senate Run Against Ed Markey (August)
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Sen. Ed Markey
• Joe Kennedy Announces Run For Senate
• Newton's Grossman Declares Run For Kennedy House Seat (Sept.24)
• Several Brookline Residents Eye Kennedy's Seat In Congress (Sept. 25)

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).