Moulton on vision quest for Lynn

LYNN – U.S. Rep.-elect Seth W. Moulton said he will move quickly to bring together Lynn?s political and business leaders to “share a vision” for Lynn.?There is a broad consensus that Lynn has tremendous potential. We need to work across the spectrum between the private and public sector. The first step is listening – that is critical,” Moulton said Wednesday.Moulton won the election Tuesday to represent the 6th Congressional District, including Lynn, with a victory over Republican Richard R. Tisei that saw Moulton win every one of the city?s 28 precincts – on the way to a 15-point margin overall.Moulton said while he was surprised by the size of the victory, Democrat and Republican voters expressed their support for him in the days leading up to the election.?I could sense enthusiasm from people on both sides of the aisle,” he said, adding that gaining the support of those who voted for U.S. Rep. John Tierney, whom he defeated in the primary, was critical to his success in the general election.?I told them I needed to earn their trust. We all came together,” he said.Moulton counts former Lynn Mayor Thomas P. Costin Jr. among his earliest supporters. Costin said Moulton talked with him in 2012 about running for Congress and received a warning from the political veteran who campaigned for and was a good friend to President John F. Kennedy.?I said, ?If you were to run now, you would hurt Tierney to the point a Republican would be elected, and you would be a pariah in the Democratic party,?” Costin recalled.He said Moulton heeded the advice and decided to delay his run until this year. Over the next two years Costin learned about more Moulton and liked what he saw.?I learned he is a leader at every level,” Costin said.The two men discovered they agreed on the need to bring rapid transit to the North Shore, and Costin was impressed by Moulton?s humility and listening skills. “He is a very quiet person who asks questions. He thinks things through and, if he needs to, he will say, ?I don?t know about that, but I will find out,?” Costin said.Costin said Moulton?s thoughtfulness will serve him well in Washington, D.C., where he will be a freshman member of the minority party in the House of Representatives, thus underscoring the need “to reach across the aisle.”?I feel energized and humbled. My job now is to be a public servant to people of the district,” Moulton said.{{tncms-asset app=”editorial” id=”7335d7e4-6572-11e4-8535-6b2e1327b7da”}}