“The most important thing to do now is to count all the votes"

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"As Sept 2 dawned, the race for the 4th Congressional District House seat showed no sign of ending. 

According to the Associated Press tabulation, fewer than 1,000 votes separated the top two Democrats, former Brookline city councilor Jesse Mermell and Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss. Mermell had led for much of the evening, with the gap between the two dwindling as more towns reported. 

As of 12:45 a.m., 76 percent of the towns had reported results; outstanding were: Bellingham, Berkley, Dover, Franklin, Lakeville, Milford, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehobeth and Seekonk. 

In a statement issued shortly shortly before 1 a.m, Mermell’s campaign acknowledged the tight race."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200901/down-to-wire-for-democrats-hoping-for-4th-district-nomination?rssfeed=true

Related article from Commonwealth Magazine

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/mermell-auchincloss-neck-and-neck-in-4th/

“The most important thing to do now is to count all the votes"

WGBH Interviews the 4th District candidates

Adam Reilly (@reillyadam) tweeted at 4:27 PM on Thu, Aug 27, 2020:

TAKE A LOOK at our interviews with the Dems running to replace Joe Kennedy in #MA04. They're all here, available for your viewing pleasure at your convenience https://t.co/sulDNKfn9k #mapoli via @wgbhnews

Picked up for Franklin via Twitter
(https://twitter.com/reillyadam/status/1299081036350083074?s=03)

WGBH Interviews the 4th District candidates

In the News: Zannetos withdraws from 4th District primary; Supreme Judicial Court upholds Sep 1 deadline

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

A second Democrat in the 4th Congressional District race has decided to suspend his campaign and back Jesse Mermell ahead of next week’s primary.

Chris Zannetos, a tech entrepreneur and founder of STEMatchMA, announced his decision on Wednesday, less than a week before the final votes will be cast at the polls on Sept. 1. He pointed to Mermell’s focus on economic equality and support for working families.

“The easy path for me would be to finish this campaign on Election Day,” Zannetos said in a statement released by the Mermell campaign. “But that would only take votes from a candidate who is committed to fixing this issue, who can win this race. There is one candidate who has shown in her career a consistent commitment to helping working people and those disenfranchised, and a willingness to create the public-private collaborations required to solve this challenge.” 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200826/zannetos-drops-out-of-4th-race-will-back-mermell?rssfeed=true

 

"The Supreme Judicial Court has upheld the Sept. 1 deadline for local election officials to receive mail-in primary election ballots. 

The court ruled Wednesday in a lawsuit filed by Fourth Congressional District candidate Becky Grossman, who sought a 10-day extension of the period allocated for counting mail-in primary ballots. 

The 22-page decision, authored by Justice Scott Kafker, comes six days before a primary where several contentious races are set to be decided including the contest between U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, and the race featuring a crowded field of Democrats running in the Fourth Congressional District. 

At least 1 million registered voters in Massachusetts requested mail-in ballots this year under a new law aimed at boosting voting options, but questions have been raised about the law’s deadlines and the reliability of the U.S. Postal Service, which has been thrust into a major role in the elections."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200826/states-highest-court-upholds-sept-1-deadline-for-primary-ballots-4th-congressional-district-candidate-becky-grossman-wanted-10-day-extension?rssfeed=true

SJC Decision https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2020/08/26/g12996.pdf

 

Supreme Judicial Court upholds Sep 1 deadline

4th Congressional District Race: A Town Hall on Race and Racism (re-broadcast schedule)

The 4th Congressional District Race: A Town Hall on Race and Racism held on Aug 19, 2020 is scheduled for re-broadcast on Franklin TV this week.

Franklin All-Access 
Comcast Channel 8; Verizon Channel 26

• Sunday, Aug 23 - 8:30 PM
• Tuesday, Aug 25 - 8:30 PM
• Wednesday, Aug 26 - 10:00 AM
• Thursday, Aug 27 - 3:30 PM

Franklin Town Hall  
Comcast Channel 11; Verizon Channel 29

• Wednesday, Aug 26 - 8:00 AM
• Wednesday, Aug 26 - 2:00 PM

The audio for this Town Hall is available here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-333-4th-district-candidates-town.html

4th Congressional District Race: A Town Hall on Race and Racism

In the News: 4th District candidates for ranked choice; Pelosi endorses Kennedy

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A significant majority of the Democratic candidates in the Fourth Congressional District race support the initiative petition on the Nov. 2 ballot that seeks to implement a ranked choice voting system in the 2022 elections.

The field includes eight contenders who are seeking to fill the seat that U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III is giving up as he challenges U.S. Sen. Ed Markey this election cycle. Out of the eight candidates who responded to a News Service request for their positions on the major voting reform, seven voiced concrete support for the ballot question — an initiative that appears designed to come into play in races with large fields just like the one the candidates are competing in in the Fourth Congressional race.

Natalia Linos, Ihssane Leckey, Ben Sigel, Jake Auchincloss, Jesse Mermell, Becky Grossman, and Alan Khazei all voiced support for the initiative, saying ranked choice voting increases representation of people of color, boosts election participation and encourages candidates to appeal to a wider base of voters."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200820/candidates-in-4th-district-primary-back-ranked-choice-voting?rssfeed=true

"U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed fellow Democratic House member Joe Kennedy III on Thursday in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Edward Markey in the Democratic primary.

Pelosi said when Democrats were working to take back control of the House from Republicans during the 2018 elections, Kennedy stumped for candidates across the country.

“From climate change to health care to racial justice, Joe has been a leader in our Caucus organizing us around our core values,” Pelosi said in a press release. “We need leaders who are willing to give every inch of themselves to the causes and concerns that unify Democrats. Joe Kennedy represents this Party’s future,”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200820/pelosi-endorses-kennedy-in-democratic-us-senate-primary?rssfeed=true

FM #333 4th District Candidates Town Hall - 8/19/20 (audio)

FM #333 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 333 in the series.

This session shares the 4th District Candidates Town Hall facilitated by the “Franklin Area Against Racism” and “Medway Marches” and broadcast by Franklin TV. The Forum was conducted via Zoom to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Angelica Crosby, Raj Seelam, and Justin Bates moderated the forum providing time for each candidate to respond to the questions on a random rotation.

All Democratic and Republicans were invited. The Democratic candidates participating (alphabetic order by last name) Jake Auchincloss, Becky Grossman, Alan Khazei, Ihssane Leckey, Natalia Linos, Jesse Mermell, and Ben Sigel.

Photos of the event participants (including screen captures of the questions and response order shared via Twitter - tagged as “#4thDist0819”) are available in this Google Photo Album https://photos.app.goo.gl/DQYMEE1ZVRq8g8yh9

The recording runs just about 1 hour and 40 minutes, so let’s listen to the 4th District candidates discuss their positions on a series of issues.

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXg6gkXK

 

 ----------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know
  

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #333 4th District Candidates Town Hall - 8/19/20 (audio)

4th District Candidates - Town Hall on Race and Racism

A Virtual Town Hall on Race and Racism for  the  candidates  of  the  4th  Congressional district race to have a discussion while answering YOUR questions on addressing racism/combating  systemic  racial  inequality.

Democrats: (7:00-8:40)

• Ben Sigel (Going)
• Alan Khazei (Going)
• Natalia Linos (Going)
• Jesse Mermell (Going)
• Becky Grossman (Going)
• Jake Auchincloss (Going)
• Ihssane Leckey (Going)

Republicans: (8:45-9:00)

• David Rosa (Going)

- all Democrat and Republican candidates were invited - 

This will also be broadcast via live stream  https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/?live=ch3&nav=live

Follow the event on Facebook for updates  https://www.facebook.com/events/332521414591118/

4th District Candidates - Town Hall on Race and Racism

WFPR.FM: 4th District Candidate Interviews with Frank Falvey

"Our own Frank Falvey has been interviewing the many candidates running for the Fourth District seat. Listen to wfpr●fm Tuesdays from now until the primary election. 

Each week we will feature three of the candidates on Tuesday morning, afternoon and evening. Listen and learn all about the candidates – in their own words – on 102.9 FM.

------ Tuesday 8/18/20 ---------
JESSE MERMELL - 9 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
ALAN KHAZEI - 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
BEN SIGEL - 11 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM


------ Tuesday 8/25/20 ---------
JESSE MERMELL - 9 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
NATALIA LINOS - 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
BEN SIGEL - 11 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM

For more about the wfpr.fm and Franklin.TV programming schedule  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/zooming-into-future-part-6.html

WFPR.FM: 4th District Candidate Interviews with Frank Falvey

4th District: Cavell drops from 4th to back Mermell

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Dave Cavell, a former Obama speechwriter running in the Fourth Congressional District, dropped out of the congested Democratic primary on Thursday and quickly endorsed Jesse Mermell, a similarly progressive candidate, setting off a series of moves in the once-sleepy primary.

The surprise exit, announced just 19 days before the Sept. 1 primary and with mail-in voting already underway, is also strategic.

Cavell, 36, said he is backing Mermell, a former Brookline selectwoman, in an attempt to avoid splintering the vote in the now eight-person field and to block Jake Auchincloss, a Newton city councilor and former Republican and state GOP employee who has polled near the top of other campaigns’ internal surveys."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/13/metro/shake-up-cavell-dropping-out-fourth-district-primary-back-mermell-stop-auchincloss/

Additional reporting on this change to the 4th District Primary race

From the Milford Daily News https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200813/cavell-suspends-campaign-for-4th-district-seat?rssfeed=true

From Commonwealth Magazine  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/in-exiting-race-house-candidate-cites-need-for-ranked-choice-voting/

Jesse Mermell backs Medicare for All and supports the Green New Deal, and has carved out support from a swath of unions and reproductive rights groups.CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF

wfpr.fm radio broadcasts to help with Sep 1 primary election information

Frank Falvey interviewed a number of the 4th District candidates competing in the Sep 1 primary to replace current Representative Joe Kennedy who is running for the US Senate against Ed Markey.

You can listen to wfpr.fm on the internet via your browser or on the radio dial at 102.9 within the Franklin area.

The radio broadcast schedule is like this:

------ 8/18 ---------
JESSE MERMELL - 9 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
ALAN KHAZEI - 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
BEN SIGEL - 11 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM

------ 8/25 ---------
JESSE MERMELL - 9 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
NATALIA LINOS - 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
BEN SIGEL - 11 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM

wfpr.fm radio broadcasts to help with Sep 1 primary election information

US House Candidates - September 1 Primary

US House Candidates

Our primary is September 1, but you can vote by mail now, take advantage of Early Voting beginning on August 22, or vote in person on September 1. You also have until August 22 to register to vote in this primary.

Remember – if you are enrolled in a party you MUST vote in that party’s primary, but if you are unenrolled you may choose which ballot you want.

Of particular note is the race to represent us in the US House of Representatives.  There are NINE candidates on the Democratic primary ballot and TWO on the Republican Ballot.  There are no Libertarian or Green Party candidates.

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - FOURTH DISTRICT

JAKE AUCHINCLOSS    Democrat  https://www.jakeforma.com/

DAVID FRANKLIN CAVELL    Democrat   https://www.davecavell.com/

BECKY GROSSMAN    Democrat   https://beckygrossman.com/

JULIE A. HALL    Republican  http://hallforcongress.com/

ALAN A. KHAZEI    Democrat  https://alankhazei.com/

IHSSANE LECKEY    Democrat  https://ihssane.org/

NATALIA LINOS    Democrat  https://www.nataliaforcongress.com/

JESSE R. MERMELL    Democrat  https://jessemermell.com/

DAVID ROSA    Republican  https://www.davidrosaforcongress.com/

BENJAMIN R. SIGEL    Democrat  https://bensigelforcongress.com/

CHRISTOPHER Z. ZANNETOS    Democrat  https://www.chriszforma.com/

 

 US House Candidates - September 1 Primary

Virtual Town Hall on Race and Racism - Aug 19

A Virtual Town Hall on Race and Racism for  the  candidates  of  the  4th  Congressional district race to have a discussion while answering YOUR questions on addressing racism/combating  systemic  racial  inequality.

• Ben Sigel 
• Natalia Linos 
• Becky Grossman 
• Alan Khazei 
• Jesse Mermell 
• Jake Auchincloss 
• Ihssane Leckey 
• Dave Cavell

- all Democrat and Republican candidates were invited -

Virtual Town Hall on  Race and Racism - Aug 19

In the News: "Candidates for Kennedy’s seat advocate views on voting, racial justice, COVID-19"

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

If one of the nine Democrats running for the state’s 4th Congressional District seat wins, voting rights, the environment, racial justice and tackling COVID-19 will be top priorities during his or her first term.

All 11 candidates vying for office, including two Republicans, discussed their experience and goals during the Aug. 5 League of Women Voters’ virtual forum. Questions came from league members and the public ahead of time.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200806/candidates-for-kennedys-seat-advocate-views-on-voting-racial-justice-covid-19?rssfeed=true

"We want voters to know these candidates they might not be familiar with”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin. In the run up to the September primary, this debate should be one good piece of input for voter decisions. If you miss the 7 PM live stream on Wednesday, it should be available for replay after.

"All nine Democratic candidates competing for Rep. Joe Kennedy III’s U.S. House seat will face off Wednesday night in a livestreamed debate hosted by six local Democratic town committees. 

“All of the candidates are from ... wealthier parts of the district. The issues that are at the forefront there are not the same issues we have out here,” Milford Democratic Town Committee Chair Bryan Cole said. “So we want to make sure that our concerns, that Milford’s concerns, are at the forefront of their minds.” 

Kennedy is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Edward Markey. 

Six of the Democratic candidates are from Brookline, two are from Newton, and one is from Wellesley. They are Brookline’s David Cavell, Alan Khazei, Ihssane Leckey, Natalia Linos, Jesse Mermell, and Benjamin Sigel; Newton’s Jack Auchincloss and Becky Grossman; and Wellesley’s Christopher Zannetos. 

Two Republicans are vying for a spot opposite the winning Democrat on the ballot – David Rosa of Dighton and Julie Hall of Attleboro."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200727/local-democrats-host-debate-on-wednesday-for-kennedys-seat?rssfeed=true

The link to the Milford TV post which in turn provides link to the live stream on Wednesday  https://www.facebook.com/notes/milford-democratic-town-committee/local-dtcs-to-host-congressional-candidate-debate/1314983162165972/

Or go direct to Milford TV  https://www.milfordtv.net/

Note: the service Milford TV uses for their video on demand is what Franklin TV has just installed.

go direct to Milford TV  https://www.milfordtv.net/