To the editor:
Scott from Lynn’s Sept. 2 letter called for voters to have a choice in the upcoming 2026 U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts. He was right, Massachusetts voters deserve a real choice. I also have good news for Scott: voters do have a choice. I am Alex Rikleen, a parent and former history teacher, and I am challenging Ed Markey in next year’s Democratic primary.
Unfortunately, establishment Democrats are preventing a robust primary. The primary is still more than a year away, and already half the congressional delegation and dozens of Beacon Hill Democrats have rushed to endorse the current Senator, boxing out a primary field before one can even form. That’s not defending democracy — it’s smothering it.
I understand why word of my candidacy comes as news to Scott — the media plays its part too, acting as if the only “real” candidates are the ones already in Washington. Most coverage of the race ignores my already-in-progress campaign and instead speculates on the possibility that someone already in Washington may enter in the future. But we have seen outsider candidates succeed before, including right here in Massachusetts, where Ayanna Pressley defeated an incumbent during President Trump’s last midterm elections.
I’m running because I take seriously Democrats’ claim that we should be the party that defends democracy, and I believe our current Congressional leadership is failing to achieve that goal in this perilous moment. To learn more about me and my candidacy, check out my website, AlexRikleen.us.
Massachusetts does have a choice in the upcoming Democratic Senate primary.
Alex Rikleen
Candidate for US Senate in Massachusetts
Acton
