PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
State Sen. Thomas McGee stands with his brother, Shawn, and former babysitter Mae DeLuca.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — State Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) launched his bid for mayor Friday night before more than 300 enthusiastic supporters at the Knights of Columbus.
“My name is Tom McGee and tonight I proudly kick off my campaign for mayor of Lynn,” he said. “I am running because I love our city and the values the city of Lynn represents.”
The 61-year-old senator will face incumbent Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, a Republican, who kicked off her campaign for a third term last month.
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McGee’s daughter, Katherine, 19, introduced her father.
“He never missed a softball game, a dance recital, a golf match or a swim meet and I know if I really needed him he would jump in his car and make the six-hour drive to Villanova,” she said. “One of the things I admire most about my dad is his love for Lynn. He has lived here his whole life and always showed Thomas and me all the wonderful qualities Lynn has. I don’t think it’s possible for his heart to hold more love for this city.”
McGee was elected to Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1994 to represent West Lynn and Nahant. After four terms, he won a seat in the Senate in 2002 in a district that includes Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott.
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Michael O’Connor, a Lynn firefighter for 22 years, said he is a strong McGee backer.
“He’s been a lifelong friend,” he said. “I think he’ll move the city in the right direction.”
Janet Dolan, a Nahant resident, said McGee has always represented the district, including Nahant, very well.
“He’s very visible, very open to help, if anyone is in difficulty I think he’s very reliable,” she said.
David Condon, chairman of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, said his group has been a longtime supporter of McGee.
“We’ve had a very good working relationship over the years and he will make a difference as mayor of Lynn,” he said.
McGee said this is a critical time for the city as it faces an enormous budget challenge.
“Our city is at a crossroads and the next four years will be critical in determining Lynn’s future,” he said. “Under current leadership, our city is faced with an emerging fiscal crisis that threatens public safety and erodes people’s confidence in Lynn’s ability to manage its own affairs and jeopardizes our potential for attracting new families and businesses. We need to harness all that Lynn has to offer.”
McGee said he’s the right person for the job.
“I believe I am the best person to lead our city at such a critical time,” he said. “I ask you to join me in working for the betterment of this city.”
In the race for cash, McGee is way ahead. In the most recent filing with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign Finance. McGee reported a balance of $69,170 while Kennedy had less than $13,000.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].