2020 MA Senatorial race: on Government Reform


Kevin O`Connor: Every vote must count; make ballots more accessible

Election integrity must be preserved, and Kevin O`Connor is committed to ensuring that every vote counts. When the pandemic hit, power brokers on Beacon Hill refused to create reasonable ballot access rules. Kevin fought that injustice all the way to the State Supreme Judicial Court, and he won. Kevin also supports continuing the Electoral College system for presidential elections.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website KOCforSenate.com Oct 6, 2020

Shiva Ayyadurai: Pledges to serve one term, not focus on re-election

Career politicians exist to serve themselves, not America and not YOU. They spend 80% of their time after election to get re-elected, and the remaining 20% on legislation to pay back those who funded their election. I will serve one-term, 100% for you, and I will push forward legislation for your long-term interests, not my re-election.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website Shiva4Senate.com Jun 24, 2020

Ed Markey: Ok with outside PAC ads, if positive ads

Markey and Kennedy sparred over a "People's Pledge," which would limit outside money spent in the race. Kennedy supports it, while Markey only limits negative advertisements. Markey has been endorsed by Environment Massachusetts, which plans to put together a $5 million campaign to support his candidacy.

"We should welcome positive voices, disclosed voices," like those from "environmental groups," Markey said.

"Who gets to say these are voices we like?" Kennedy replied.

Source: CNN coverage of 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate Feb 18, 2020

Joe Kennedy III: Supports People's Pledge: no outside PAC spending

Markey and Kennedy sparred over a "People's Pledge," which would limit outside money spent in the race. Kennedy supports it, while Markey only limits negative advertisements. Markey has been endorsed by Environment Massachusetts, which plans to put together a $5 million campaign to support his candidacy.

"We should welcome positive voices, disclosed voices," like those from "environmental groups," Markey said.

"Who gets to say these are voices we like?" Kennedy replied.

Source: CNN coverage of 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate Feb 18, 2020

Joe Kennedy III: Proposed pledge to limit spending from outside groups

The three-way Democratic primary for incumbent Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey's seat may see the candidates sign the so-called People's Pledge to limit outside campaign financing. Politico reported that U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy's campaign had recently reached out to Markey and labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan with proposed language to limit spending from outside groups and plans for a pledge signing ceremony. Kennedy had already called on his opponents to sign a pledge after he entered the race in September, the Boston Globe reported.

Politico reported that the campaigns were finalizing details and could sign an agreement within the next two weeks. Liss-Riordan and Kennedy had confirmed plans to sign the pledge, but the pair postponed while the Senate was in session, with the Markey campaign telling Politico that the senator was "actively looking at" a pledge agreement.

Source: Springfield Republican on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race Nov 7, 2019

Shannon Liss-Riordan: Pledge to limit campaign spending from outside groups

The three-way Democratic primary for incumbent Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey's seat may see the candidates sign the so-called People's Pledge to limit outside campaign financing. Politico reported that U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy's campaign had recently reached out to Markey and labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan with proposed language to limit spending from outside groups and plans for a pledge signing ceremony. Kennedy had already called on his opponents to sign a pledge after he entered the race in September, the Boston Globe reported.

Politico reported that the campaigns were finalizing details and could sign an agreement within the next two weeks. Liss-Riordan and Kennedy had confirmed plans to sign the pledge, but the pair postponed while the Senate was in session, with the Markey campaign telling Politico that the senator was "actively looking at" a pledge agreement.

Source: Springfield Republican on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race Nov 7, 2019

Joe Kennedy III: Necessary regulations costs are crippling

On federal compliance: "Back home in my district just outside Boston, the 4th District, I hear concerns about the cost of compliance from those regulations in almost all the cities and towns that I visit," said Kennedy. "They don't disagree with the importance of these regulations, but as they struggle to get back on their feet post recession and deal with an already crippling loss of state and federal dollars due to our budget situation here, that cost of compliance can seem almost impossible."
Source: Taunton Gazette on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race Nov 15, 2013

  • The above quotations are from 2020 Massachusetts Senatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Massachusetts on Government Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Ed Markey on Government Reform.
Candidates and political leaders on Government Reform:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Sep 17, 2022