LYNN — The primary race in Massachusetts between U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who is challenging him, took center stage Sunday at the annual Lynn Democratic City Committee unity breakfast.
Both candidates used their remarks to essentially make a campaign pitch to hundreds of Essex County Democrats in attendance at the Franco American post, with each taking swipes at President Donald Trump.
Kennedy, who has been serving in the House since 2013, is vying to unseat Markey, a senator since 2013 after serving as a congressman for 37 years. The race will be decided next year.
Those listening to the two speeches seemed to favor the incumbent, but others supporting Kennedy spoke of their desire for change.
“We’re at a central juncture in America’s history,” Markey said. “Trump thinks you can make America great again by making America hate again. We know that that cannot happen.”
Markey said Trump is unraveling the democracy and values of the United States, and should be impeached. Those values are under assault and the American Dream is becoming increasingly harder to achieve as citizens struggle with income inequality, college unaffordability, social injustice and the opioid crisis, he said.
“America is going through a funny period where there are some people who have a nostalgia for a time that never existed, instead of the idealism which our country needs to deal with the problems of the future,” Markey said.
Markey said he’s worked throughout his career to help support families like his own, telling a story of how he grew up watching his father care for his mother for years in their home as she slowly deteriorated from Alzheimer’s disease.
“I have tried to fight for those families, those families who lived for their families, who tried to give them all that they have not had in their lives,” Markey said. “That’s what it’s all about … It’s about providing opportunities for everyone.”
In his remarks, the senator also spoke about gun violence and his opposition to the National Rifle Association (NRA), and touted his signature proposed legislation, the Green New Deal, which aims to address climate change and economic inequality.
The Green New Deal, introduced in February by Markey and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), calls for the federal government to wean the United States from fossil fuels and curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from across the economy, and aims to guarantee new high-paying jobs in clean energy industries, according to the New York Times.
Kennedy agreed there needs to be a substantial effort to combat the hatred and bigotry carried out by Trump, but he said the anger and frustration that led to his election started long before he took office.
Across the country, people are hurting, Kennedy said, adding that each night across the country, 500,000 people will go homeless and 37 million will go hungry. Half of all adults across the country that need behavioral and mental healthcare will not get it, which is even worse for kids, he said.
An argument that Trump uses to rally his supporters, that the system doesn’t represent or work for them, is one Kennedy said he hears in much different places, such as during his visits to homeless shelters and jails. In one such prison, he said, he learned that 90 percent of the people spending a night incarcerated struggled with mental health issues and addiction.
Mental health care and addiction have been criminalized in the United States, Kennedy said, and it’s nearly impossible for many to make ends meet when they are saddled with healthcare costs, student loan debt, and housing costs all while working at jobs with less benefits.
Kennedy vowed to make sure the political system works for everyone, to work toward getting policies passed that address those issues, which he said would be aimed at restoring economic dignity, American values and decency in a government that works for and represents everyone.
“I’ve got a year to prove to all of you that’s what this campaign is all about,” Kennedy said. “We have a moment of reckoning in our country that we have to wrestle with, and yes it is pushing back against Donald Trump, but if we do not address the underlying issue that allowed him to win in the first place, then shame on us.”
The majority of attendees interviewed were Markey supporters, with the two in favor of Kennedy speaking about their desire for change.
“I think we’re just looking for new blood, someone who’s just going to work a little bit more,” said Diana Ellis, a 50-year-old Lynnfield resident who is undecided, but leaning toward Kennedy.
Evan Lewis, a 28-year-old Beverly resident, said he was supporting Kennedy because the congressman’s remarks about mental healthcare resonated with him. He said he was also impressed with how Kennedy spoke about the future.
Markey supporters spoke about how they were happy with his accomplishments and wanted to see him continue on the job, with others like Sue Osborne, a 65-year-old Lynn resident, speaking about his character.
“I like him,” she said. “I think he’s supportive and he’ll get the job done. He’s a man of his word.”
A 72-year-old woman from Beverly, who chose to remain anonymous, said Markey has represented the state for many years, and wanted to see that continue. Of his policies, she said she was impressed with the Green New Deal.
“I think it’s important to have people in Washington who have deep experience in politics,” said Carla Meagher, 62, of Danvers, a Markey supporter.
Meagher’s husband, Tim, a 64-year-old Danvers resident and Lynn native, said he thinks Markey has done a good change, with issues such as climate change. The senator has progessive ideas, Tim said, and has been there for working people.
A 73-year-old Lynnfield resident who preferred to remain anonymous because his town leans Republican, said he was supporting Markey because he was “really capable” and has done a lot in Congress.
The day’s other speakers included Mayor Thomas M. McGee, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass), and Lynn’s legislative delegation, state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), state Rep. Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn), state Rep. Peter Capano (D-Lynn) and state Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead).