Moulton knocks out Tierney

SALEM – Democratic congressional nominee Seth Moulton told cheering supporters he wants to “see a renaissance in Lynn” similar to Lowell’s rebirth under former U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas.Moulton won 1 out of 3 Lynn Democrat’s votes Tuesday – enough to combine with vote tallies across the 6th Congressional District for a victory that propels him into a final election fight with Republican Richard Tisei.Speaking shortly after 10 p.m. to supporters packed into the Salem VFW Post, Moulton singled out Lynn as the 6th District community he mentioned by name and thanked former Lynn Mayor Thomas P. Costin Jr. and City Councilor Rick Ford for their support.Ford said Moulton reached out to him early during the congressional campaign and made regular visits to the Little River Inn, the West Lynn breakfast spot Ford owns with wife, Tina.”He’s a great guy – a fresh face with a lot of great ideas,” Ford said.Moulton said he looks forward to contrasting his ideas for reviving old cities like Lynn and his views on pay equity for women and support for veterans with Tisei’s perspectives. He contrasted his status as a political novice with Tisei’s tenure in the state Legislature.”Sending someone to Washington who was first elected to office when I was 6 years old is not bringing a new vision to Washington,” he said. If Moulton supporters’ political affiliations are any indication, Tisei could face challenges attracting votes in the Nov. 4 final election.Lynn resident Jon Lazar said he last voted for Tierney 10 years ago and voted Republican in more recent elections. Along with another Moulton supporter, he held signs in the Nahant Rotary Monday night as Tierney, surrounded by supporters, waved at drivers.Lazar said he knew by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday that Moulton had won the primary, partly by pulling in Lynn votes.”People were saying they wouldn’t vote for Tierney,” he said.Marblehead sisters Gayle and Beth Grader described themselves as independents who voted for Tisei but are dedicated to a Moulton win in November.”He doesn’t buy into the notion that ?if I win, you lose,'” said Gayle Grader.She said Moulton can contrast his military service and “life experience with real world problems” with Tisei’s experience.Katherine McCarthy said Moulton has “young ideas” that will “drown out” Tisei’s claims that he is the best choice to succeed Tierney.”By fighting for his country, he will be able to fight for the people,” she said.Fiona Lubbock and her Marblehead neighbors hung lights in their windows when Moulton went to fight in Iraq as a Marine. She said the key to a Moulton victory in November is to “continue to be humble and work hard.”Moulton started his victory speech Tuesday by reminding supporters “very few people outside this thought we could win.” He praised Tierney, who conceded the election at 9:23 p.m., and said he will fight to keep the 6th District in Democratic hands.”Our win says we are fed up with gridlock in Washington and that voters want to keep this seat blue,” he said.