FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2020
Taunton Rep. Carol Doherty, City Council President Barry Sanders, Ten Other State, Local Leaders Endorse Mermell for Congress
TAUNTON – Jesse Mermell today announced several major endorsements from the Taunton area as well as state and local leaders throughout Massachusetts.
State Representative Carol Doherty and Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders joined Governor’s Councilor Eileen Duff, Needham School Committee Member Heidi Black, Brookline School Committee Member Jennifer Monopoli, Chair of the Hopkinton Board of Health Lisa Whittemore, Brookline Town Meeting Members Lauren Bernard, John Shreffler, Robert Weintraub, and Amanda Zimmerman, former Brookline Town Meeting Member Liza Brooks, Ph.D., and Democratic State Committee and Medway Democratic Town Committee Member Paul Yorkis in endorsing Mermell as the best candidate in the 9-way primary on September 1.
Their support brings Mermell’s total endorsements from current and former electeds to 63, alongside support from all of the state’s health care unions, the state’s teachers, mechanists and more.
“In a district as economically diverse as the Fourth, it is essential that our next Congresswoman is in tune with the unique needs facing each community and committed to showing up and delivering bold, progressive results for everyone,” said Mermell. “That’s why I’m proud to have earned the support of so many local leaders who recognize that I’m the best candidate to represent their constituents in Congress. Together, we can stand up to Donald Trump, fight for affordable and accessible health care, champion reproductive rights and lead an equitable recovery to COVID-19.”
“Jesse’s dedication to showing up for the people of the Fourth Congressional District, in person before the pandemic and continuing virtually now, is impressive,” said State Representative Carol Doherty (D-Taunton). “She listens and cares about every constituent in this district and is also committed to helping elect other Democrats to build a strong coalition. I’m proud to support her.”
“I have been able to meet and talk with many of the candidates in the Fourth Congressional race. Of them all, Jesse Mermell has impressed me the most,” said Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders. “Her background, her experience, her vision – have convinced me that she is our best choice. In our several conversations, Jesse has articulated a focus on lifting people up, working for basic fairness and helping those who struggle. Most of all, I have been grateful for Jesse’s interest in, and commitment to, the people I represent here in Taunton.”
“Jesse Mermell is the exact right person at the exact right time for leadership in Congress,” said Governor’s Councilor Eileen Duff. “She is the only candidate with the breadth of experience who is able to hit the road running and help the Fourth District get the representation they deserve on day one. It’s an honor and pleasure to endorse her.”
“Our students and educators need a champion for public education fighting for them in Congress, especially as COVID-19 has devastated local budgets and schools are navigating how to keep everyone safe without disrupting learning,” said Needham School Committee Member Heidi Black. “Throughout her career, Jesse has advocated for an equitable education system and that’s why she’s earned the support of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and National Education Association. I’m proud to join them in supporting her.”
“Jesse has made fighting to make sure our children have access to an equitable education system a top priority, from her experience working with FairTest and Citizens for Public Schools to her comprehensive education policy platform,” said Brookline School Committee Member Jennifer Monopoli. “We can trust her to go to Congress to champion public education, protect reproductive rights and lead the fight against climate change.”
“Jesse is the voice of reason we need in Congress leading us through this crisis,” said Chair, Board of Health, Hopkinton Lisa Whittemore. “She will center the voices of public health experts, health care workers, teachers and other frontline workers in her decision making to ensure our recovery is equitable. I’m proud to endorse her.”
“Jesse champions everything that should be a ‘right’—workers’ rights, women’s rights, immigrants’ rights, and the rights to affordable housing, strong public education and quality healthcare for all,” said Brookline Town Meeting Member and Co-President of the Brookline Parents Organization Lauren Bernard. “She will never lose sight of the paramount importance of social and racial justice for every, single constituent. Jesse is precisely the person we need to represent the Fourth Congressional District: her experience and track record here in Massachusetts speak for themselves, and she will get the job done in Washington as well.”
“In the current political climate and the chaos at the White House, we need a representative who will not only stand up for progressive values that we share, but has the proven track record and pragmatism to make real progress,” said Brookline Town Meeting Member Amanda Zimmerman.
“I deeply appreciate Jesse Mermell’s engagement in progressive causes in Brookline and beyond,” said Brookline Town Meeting Member and former Headmaster of Brookline High School Robert Weintraub. “Jesse is smart, thoughtful, passionate, and extremely hard-working. She is the person we need today representing us in Washington, DC.”
“I’m behind Jesse because she is a proven progressive with a record of getting things done,” said Brookline Town Meeting Member John Shreffler. “Across the range of issues, she’s solidly committed to good solutions. I’ve been impressed with her since she was on the Brookline Select Board when she was a very young and effective member. Now she’s even better. She has a good heart and we can count on her to do the right thing.”
“I have been so impressed with Jesse because of her intelligence, passion and thoughtfulness,” said Brookline Town Meeting Member Liza Brooks, PhD. “The Fourth District would be incredibly lucky to have such a dynamo representing us in Congress.”
“The Fourth Congressional District requires a person who knows how to represent and work with a very diverse constituency,” said Paul Yorkis, Democratic State Committee Member, Medway Democratic Town Committee Member, 2016 Electoral College Elector, and 2012 Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. “They must know how to work with the Massachusetts Governor and Legislature, understand the challenges of owning a business, and really care about the issues of health care, education, housing, economic development, human rights, the environment, and transportation. In my judgement and experience, the person who meets all of those requirements is Jesse Mermell. I have known Jesse for many years and know that she will do an exceptional job of listening to and working for all of the residents of the district. Her commitment and sincerity to do the job is unquestionable.”
Earlier this week, Mermell received endorsements from the Massachusetts Nurses Association and National Women’s Political Caucus. She has dominated the crowded field with broad support from top progressive leaders and organizations including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, former First Lady Diane Patrick, the SEIU State Council, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, IBEW Local 103, the Machinists, and the Coalition for Social Justice, as well as local leaders across the district and state. A full list of endorsements can be found here.