Mission Accomplished

Today's primary turned out as good as any progressive could have possibly hoped for. According to Bay Windows, Carl Sciortino defeated his challenger. Sonia Chang Diaz pulled out the nail biter and managed to overcome the tremendous institutional support Wilkerson pulled together in a 51-49% vote. Jon Hecht, of Watertown, claimed victory in his tough sticker campaign. These are all strong, progressive voices who will make a difference in Beacon Hill. They won tough and heavily contested primaries and will now be able to work, or continue to work in Carl's case, for the progressive causes that will make a difference in the lives of those who need it most, most especially the average voter.

The only failure of the night was the seriously uphill battle in unseating Paul Donato, one of the state's most entrenched and powerful incumbents - he's a DINO that's lived to see another day, but he certainly was sent a message loud and clear. Even when we fail, we win - just consider the fact that Donato voted for ending the 1913 discriminatory bill that prevented out of staters from marrying here, when in years past he was unforgiving in his anti-equality stances.

The work is not over, though. Among the five state candidates I've endorsed, progressives facing tough challenges who could make a tremendous difference in this state, one has yet to actually face her big election day. Sara Orozco didn't have a primary challenge, but she's facing a tough anti-equality, fringe-right incumbent as an out, proud latino woman. She still has some time before the election, but this is now the race in which progressives must rally around because winning this seat is big. We have a chance to truly change the dynamic in the senate - sending in Jamie Eldridge, Sonia and Ken Donnelly will all make a difference in the tenor and ability for progressives to build coalitions from within that body. The importance of adding another bonafide, energetic and hardworking progressive to the mix - and subtracting one of the state's worst politicians - can not be overstated. We've been changing Beacon Hill one politician at a time - and the results are starting to bear fruit. Soon, we'll have the numbers and coalitions to bring the kind of change that will truly impact the lives of the people of this state.

Candidates I Wish I Could Vote For on Tuesday:

I've never been a huge fan of endorsements; I don't think they sway very many voters. That said, if I believe strongly enough to support a candidate and become interested in their race, I may as well say it out loud for everyone to hear. So, for the pleasure of my readers, the following people make me passionate enough that I only wish I got the opportunity to vote for them in these supremely competitive elections. If any of you feel as passionately as I do, please click on the link to their website and find ways you can help in this last week of the primary season.

For State Senate: Sara Orozco & Sonia Chang-Diaz.

For State Representative: Pat McCabe in Medford, Jon Hecht in Watertown & Carl Sciortino in Somerville.

I believe these are five candidates who, if elected (or reelected, in Carl's case), would do a lot to bolster the progressive movement in Massachusetts. They're candidates who have an extensive grasp of policy, as well as the energy and drive to bring about the kind of change the people of this state want. Make no mistake about it; these are people who will make a difference.

There's been a lot of progress since Deval's been in office - and a lot of that has to do with the progressive change in the Beacon Hill legislature. These five people will ensure that not only will things keep moving in the right direction, but that they do so even faster, with leadership that will make us proud. I wish I could be at all five places on election day, but since I can't, I hope readers will find a way to get involved in their most important hours of need.

Finally, most of these candidates have done interviews on LeftAhead, the Massachusetts Political Podcast. If you need to find reasons to be enthused, go take a listen. These are people who know their stuff and will do a lot of good, if elected.

Today's Special Podcast: Candidate Pat McCabe

Mike and I welcomed Pat McCabe, candidate for State Rep in the 35th Middlesex District, onto our show tonight. Click here to listen. It's part three in our series of candidate interviews (here's parts 1 and 2).

Pat's a West Point grad, former Army Ranger who fought for 6 months in Kosovo. Fighting to protect minorities in Kosovo, he learned the importance of freedom and equality well, as a women's right to choose, marriage equality, universal health care and universal high-quality education are all driving factors in his race against Paul Donato, the incumbent.

Don't forget to tune in.