Hi, my name is Kevin Loechner, long term lurker and occasional commenter. Alas, the time has come to write this introductory diary and work towards becoming a more active member of the dKos community. As for my background I am in operations at a legal services software company during the day. When not at the office, I am a husband, a music fan, a beagle and cat father, and a progressive Democratic activist (elected Democratic Town Committee member for the first time this year). I live in the seaside town of Hull, a peninsula that juts out from the South Shore (of Boston Harbor). Life in our small town is peaceful and idyllic (and mostly Democratic), but there is a dark cloud hanging over it all... (cue dramatic music)
We have a Republican state senator. He's not just any ordinary Massachusetts Republican though, Bob Hedlund is the assistant minority leader and the most ineffective and furthest right wing member of our State Senate. He's been in office 1991-1993 and now since 1995. Defeating an incumbent legislator is tough in Massachusetts and Sen. Hedlund has over $150K in the bank. He hasn't faced a serious Democratic challenger since 2004, in 2006 he had a potential strong progressive opponent but at the last minute a conservadem named Stephen A. Lynch (not that Stephen Lynch) swooped in and got 2/3 of the vote spending no money. After the primary this Stephen Lynch was quoted as saying "Bob Hedlund is a friend of mine", he did no campaigning, and Hedlund was re-elected with 2/3 of the vote.
Alas, there is some hope, there is a Progressive Democratic opponent willing to work hard to defeat Sen. Hedlund. His name is Steve May. I have been working hard as a part time volunteer campaign manager, but fundraising is tough in this economy and with the Presidential and Elizabeth Warren campaigns going on at the same time. Additionally, Democratic resources in our district are split by having a primary opponent.
That being said, I could use some help from the community here. This appeal is urgent, as we have less than two weeks until our primary. Please head over to the campaign website and take a look at our issues pages and Steve's background. If you like what you see, please strongly consider sending us a grassroots contribution and let your friends know about our campaign. Some people may think, Massachusetts has 36/40 Democratic state senators and think this race is not important. I would argue that it is, because we have the chance to replace our most odious and regressive Republican with a strong Progressive Democrat.
Will you help me get better representation in the State Senate?
Finally, here is Steve's closing statement from a recent debate:
"I fundamentally believe that you all deserve a state senator that has an agenda and puts you at the top of it. I truly believe that for too long our current member has failed you. At the end of the day, this race comes down to who you believe is going to champion your needs, and your wants. This is not about me. It's my name on the ballot, but this race is firmly about you, your needs, and your wants, as we go forward.
I believe service is a virtue, and I look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to serve you as your senator. Yes, there are clearly things that I believe need to be done, and I am not shy about fighting for you, the way I've fought for people that had hemophilia and contracted HIV and Hepatitis from tainted blood products. I'm not afraid to fight for you the way I've been making my professional life these days, fighting for folks that potentially face genetic discrimination and bias. I'm proud to champion a piece of legislation now that's currently pending in the legislature called the Genetic Bill of Rights, that's become a model for dealing with genetic bias and discrimination and has been introduced in over a dozen states.
I think you deserve a champion and I think you deserve champion from Day One, and I know how legislatures work because I've worked with them. I'm going to fight for you, if you give me that opportunity, and I hope you do."
- Steve May Closing Statement from South Shore Democratic Caucus Debate, 8/22/2012 in Weymouth
Here is a map of the district for reference: