LYNN — The city’s mayor threw his support behind U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, who touted his accomplishments during a last-minute campaign push at City Hall on Monday afternoon.
Markey, who has served in the Senate since 2013, is locked in a contentious primary race with fellow Democrat Joseph P. Kennedy III, which will be decided on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Along with Lynn, Markey appeared in Chelsea, Revere, and Everett Monday, as part of his campaign’s statewide “Leads and Delivers Tour.” According to his office, each stop is designed to highlight what Markey has done for the cities and towns he represents.
“(Lynn is) about creating dreams. It’s about creating opportunities for everyone,” said Markey. “I’m fighting for all the young people of Lynn who are working hard, who want a shot in our country, who believe in the American Dream, which is why their parents brought them here, because they believe.”
Markey’s appearances Monday were also billed as “Get-Out-The-Early-Vote,” events, with speakers encouraging residents to take advantage of the early voting that ends Friday.
However, early voting was only mentioned in passing, as much of the stop consisted of Markey touting his accomplishments, and local elected officials, Mayor Thomas M. McGee, and representatives from IUE-CWA Local 201, the local union representing GE Aviation workers, voicing their support for the senator.
In his endorsement remarks, McGee cited Markey’s push to ensure students have access to the Internet at home to support remote learning, and his leadership on climate change, which he said Lynn has felt the effects of recently in terms of significant rain and flooding events.
“We know that his leadership in Washington will continue to be the leadership we need today and for our children tomorrow,” said McGee. “Lynn’s behind Ed Markey.”
State Rep. Peter Capano (D-Lynn) and Adam Kaszynski, the former and current presidents of IUE Local 201, both spoke of how Markey has supported the union’s workers over the years, including during the pandemic in their fight for personal protective equipment and enhanced sick time.
Markey mentioned his connection to the GE union in his remarks, explaining that his father was a past president of IUE-CWA. It was from his father that he learned the value of hard work, he said, mentioning how he drove an ice-cream truck to pay his way through college.
These days, Markey, who favors free community college and public universities, said students can’t earn what it costs to go to college, which leaves them saddled with student debt.
“The median income in Lynn right now is what it costs to go to college,” said Markey. “That’s the entire family income for a year is what it costs to go to college for one year, much less four years.”
Markey said he also favors a $15 minimum wage, healthcare for all, and environmental justice in the form of his sponsored proposed legislation, a Green New Deal, which he said will ensure young people don’t have to live in polluted communities.
As he wrapped up his remarks, Markey said his stop in Lynn Monday was reminiscent of his appearance at City Hall when he stood on the front steps next to President Jimmy Carter and the mayor’s father, former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas W. McGee.
It was quite a day, Markey said, saying that it “gave hope to our country that Richard Nixon was in the rearview mirror,” a scenario he hopes will be duplicated in November, with President Donald Trump being voted out of office.
Markey, who spoke favorably of McGee in his remarks, said the city has a “great mayor,” but residents need a great president too.
“That’s why in eight weeks, Donald Trump is going to be replaced by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” said Markey. “He is criminally negligent in what he’s doing and how he cheats the American people.”
