Elections matter. Our ability to make progressive change in Massachusetts depends on having progressive champions in office — every office.
In particular, primaries matter. Whether you’re ousting a conservative or passive incumbent (of either party) or electing a real champion in an open seat (replacing a retiring one or getting a real progressive upgrade), primaries can send a powerful message.
Massachusetts’s state primary is Tuesday, September 4th.
Over the past couple of months, we’ve been inviting candidates to fill out our comprehensive policy questionnaire — a vital tool for informing voters and for holding politicians accountable. Our Election and Endorsement Committee reviews them and then chooses whether to make a recommendation to our members, the ultimate deciders.
We’re proud to endorse the following candidates, each of whom won an overwhelming majority of the vote among our membership, for our second round of primary endorsements.
State Senate
2nd Essex & Middlesex: Mike Armano
Mike Armano is a proud member of the Lawrence Firefighters Local 146. Mike is a fourth-generation civil servant, with experience working with some of our most vulnerable populations as a coach, counselor, and substitute teacher. After attending Mass School of Law and starting his own law practice, he followed in his father’s footsteps eight years later and was hired as a firefighter. He graduated from the Mass Fire Academy while earning his EMT license and pursuing his master’s degree in Public Administration. Today, Mike supports legislative initiatives as a delegate to the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, and works with city officials and community leaders as the Lieutenant of Fire Prevention in Lawrence, Massachusetts. As a state senator, he will fight the expansion of charter schools and is committed to fully funding public education in Massachusetts.
State House of Representatives
1st Barnstable: Steve Leibowitz
Steve Leibowitz has been active in his community since being elected a town meeting member in Amherst as a Freshman to his work the past 23 years on Cape Cod. He’s served on the Brewster School Committee, Brewster Affordable Housing Partnership, and the board of Protect Our Cape Cod Aquifer. Steve chaired the Brewster Democratic Town Committee for 6 years, was elected twice to the Democratic National Convention as an Obama and Sanders delegate and currently is a member of the Democratic State Committee. He’s running to replace Republican Tim Whelan and would be a strong voice for economic fairness and open, engaged government.
14th Essex: Christina Minicucci
Christina Minicucci is a community activist in North Andover who understands that democracy is not a spectator sport. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the North Andover School Building Committee, member of the Master Plan Advisory Committee, and the Expo Coordinator for the Feaster Five Road Race. Christina is also an active member of the North Andover Parent Advisory Council (NAPAC), her local Boy Scout Troop, and the Merrimack Valley Striders running club, as well as a former member of the YWCA Board of Directors and a sexual assault hotline advocate. She looks forward to being a strong advocate for investing in our public schools, addressing the affordable housing crisis, and promoting equitable economic development for the region.
2nd Hampshire: Marie McCourt
Marie McCourt is a dedicated community activist in Granby. Having grown up in a struggling family, she has made a point in her career to create opportunities for others. She currently works as an assistant program director for a grant-funded afterschool program, and it is through this work that she got involved in politics. She currently serves on the executive board and works as a volunteer for Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc., a client-choice pantry that serves South Hadley and Granby residents dealing with food insecurity. She will be an enthusiastic champion of increasing our investment in public education, increasing access to medical care, and improving our elder and disability services so that everyone can thrive.
28th Middlesex: Gerly Adrien
Gerly Adrien ran for State Representative for the 28th Middlesex District as a first-time candidate in 2016 with no name recognition and fell just 600 votes short of winning. She is running again to continue the fight to improve education, economic development, and quality of life for the people of Everett. The oldest child of parents born in Haiti, Gerly moved to Everett in 1993 when she was 4 years old. Her parents instilled in her and her two brothers the importance of serving others, and she has carried that value with her wherever she has gone in life, whether working to advance teen empowerment, affordable housing, arts education, and public health.
15th Norfolk: Tommy Vitolo
Tommy Vitolo is an environmental professional and a long-time progressive leader in his local legislature, the Brookline Town Meeting. A PhD engineer, Tommy works as an expert witness on behalf of government agencies and environmental organizations. He has served on a dozen town boards and committees, and is an elected member of the Brookline Democratic Town Committee and an elected Brookline Constable. He’s authored and shepherded to passage progressive local legislation related to public schools, public health, diversity and inclusion, the environment, and public art in Brookline and looks forward to being a champion of these and other issues at the State House.
