Progressive Coalitions and Democratic Legislators Unify Behind Jason Lewis

Today, the campaign for State Rep. Jason Lewis announced endorsements from key progressive organizations, and dozens of state and local elected officials.   Lewis’s support from such a broad range of organizations and individuals was attributed both to his years of effective progressive leadership in the house, as well as his main opponent in the Democratic primary, having a long record of supporting conservative policies in the House.

“We are proud to endorse Jason Lewis for State Senate,” said Georgia Hollister Isman, Executive Director of Mass Alliance. "Jason is a leader in protecting civil rights, strengthening public education, making our communities healthier, and has a real record of advancing progressive policy. If voters want to elect a progressive champion to the Senate, Jason Lewis is the clear choice."  Mass Alliance is the leading Massachusetts coalition of progressive organizations.

State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D - Acton) focused on Lewis's record of leadership in his endorsement, stating "Jason is one of the strongest progressive voices in the State House and has been the biggest leader on dramatically improving healthcare for all in Massachusetts.  He has helped organize his fellow progressive legislators in the House and enlivened the Progressive Caucus to strengthen the voice for progressive priorities in the legislative process.  That's the kind of leadership that we need to elect to the Senate, and I'm excited to work with Jason soon."

Knowing how popular Katherine Clark was both in the district and among her colleagues, Senator Dan Wolf (D-Harwich) explained "I worked closely with Katherine Clark while she was in the State Senate.  With so much at stake, it is essential that a strong, progressive Democrat jump right in where she left off and provide great leadership for the district. I know that Jason is the right candidate for the job."

“It means a great deal to me to be supported by these groups and legislators, because they’re the ones I’ve been privileged to work alongside to get things done for the community here,” Lewis said.  “I especially look forward to working more closely with the Senators who are supporting the campaign.”

Lewis’s campaign manager, Suzanne Schlossberg, explained that the election was shaping up as head to head between two nearly opposite types of Democratic legislators, and that that’s why Lewis’s campaign is surging. “The voters want to elect an effective leader who shares their values, and that’s why we have some amazing momentum and the growing support necessary to win.” 

Lewis has been endorsed by over twenty current State Legislators and is also proud to receive the endorsements of NARAL Pro Choice Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Stoneham Democratic Town Committee, and the Winchester Democratic Town Committee.

A list of the organizations and individuals currently endorsing Lewis in the race can be found at www.electjasonlewis.com/endorsements.

Lewis serves as State Representative for the 31st Middlesex District, including Stoneham and Winchester.  He serves as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, and co-founded the legislature's Prevention for Health Caucus. He's has led efforts in the legislature to improve the quality of healthcare for all and to ensure that all public schools receive adequate and equitable funding.

Lewis attended public schools, and received his undergraduate degree and MBA from Harvard. He and his wife Susan, a middle school science teacher, are the proud parents of two daughters, Sophie and Jessie. Before Lewis was elected State Representative, he helped build two successful software companies, which created hundreds of high-tech, good-paying jobs.

The Democratic Primary for the Senate will be held on March 4th, and the General Election will be held on April 1st. For more information about Jason and the campaign, visit www.electjasonlewis.com.