Progressive Massachusetts reached out earlier this year to candidates for Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, and state Auditor with our comprehensive policy questionnaire. And then we interviewed those who filled out a questionnaire last month.
We then sent the question to our members: whom, and whether, to endorse, with a high threshold of 60% for endorsement.
We are thus proud to endorse Tanisha Sullivan for Secretary of the Commonwealth (93% of our member vote), Quentin Palfrey for Attorney General (62% of our member vote), and Chris Dempsey for State Auditor (78% of our member vote).
Secretary of the Commonwealth: Tanisha Sullivan
Tanisha Sullivan has been an inspiration as President of the Greater Boston NAACP, and we are excited by what she could do as our state’s Chief Democracy Officer and Chief Information Officer. Tanisha will be a strong champion for strengthening voting rights in our Commonwealth and knows that democracy is year-round, not just at the ballot box. She would be a creative and proactive leader in ensuring that racial and economic equity are at the center of all aspects of the office’s work, including the office’s role in corporate governance and historic preservation. Massachusetts has, for too often, been a laggard on voting rights and government transparency when we should be a leader. We have the opportunity to change that.
Here’s what our members said about Tanisha:
“Tanisha has demonstrated an understanding of how a more activist SoC can be helpful to all people.”
“She has the background to be successful in this position & has new ideas to make voting easier.”
“Tanisha will be a tenacious defender of voting rights. She will modernize the office, and ensure that everyone’s right to vote will be defended.”
“Tanisha will bring a new perspective to the role and is committed to transparency and connecting more communities across the Commonwealth.”
“I look forward to Tanisha Sullivan serving as the Chief Democracy Officer of the state. Reading her questionnaire made me feel hopeful — like maybe the future is not as grim as it’s been looking.”
“She is a smart progressive woman of color. We need more than transactions. We need transformations.”
“We need this change. Experience means nothing if you aren’t willing to make changes. Tanisha will bring the change we need!”
“Tanisha Sullivan will bring new energy and ideas, and a different lived experience to the job.”
“Tanisha Sullivan is an accomplished attorney & civil rights advocate who will both: bring much needed modernization to the office, and serve as an invaluable & insightful voice on vital issues in Massachusetts and nationally.”
“Tanisha is an amazing candidate who has a great track record working as the President of the NAACP. She will put racial justice first in her work in the Secretary’s office.”
” Tanisha is a breath of fresh air, and her experience as a corporate attorney and as a racial equity advocate will ensure the corporations division expands its role in ensuring economic access to entrepreneurship.”
“Tanisha Sullivan, with her experience of advancing equity and access, will be a fabulous Secretary of the Commonwealth! Her vision of making the office more than procedural – who knew this branch of government could have been doing more all along, even today? We must have election systems that engage more people, historic preservation that represents everyone’s histories, information that is actually accessible, and a corporate division that supports small and micro-businesses that help communities thrive.”
Learn more about Tanisha at https://www.tanishasullivan.com/.
Attorney General: Quentin Palfrey
Whether taking on health insurance and pharmaceutical companies as an Assistant Attorney General, advocating across the country for voting rights, or advising on policy and strategy in Washington, Quentin Palfrey has demonstrated a keen sense of how to use the law to advance and protect the public good. Quentin would be an effective and proactive Attorney General, ready for the work of holding big corporations accountable, protecting the civil rights of all, strengthening our response to climate change, and reforming our criminal legal system.
Here’s what our members said about Quentin:
“Palfrey combines a passion for progressive causes with the knowledge of what the power of the AG office can do.”
“Quentin is strong across all policy areas and has experience working as an attorney in government, working in the office of the attorney general and as a government attorney, and managing large staffs of lawyers at all levels, not to mention doing so for voter protection efforts.”
“Quentin has devoted his career to public service, and he is a highly experienced lawyer who has advocated for progressive causes.”
“He has a long record of supporting progressive policy in public sector legal offices across the United States.”
“Quentin is clearly the most progressive candidate and is someone we can trust to get progressive policy done.”
“Quentin has the clearest plan with keen determination.”
“His experience, passion, and vision are perfect for this moment.”
“He’s got the combination of progressive vision and experience.”
“He’s a high-caliber candidate with a wealth of experience; he’s the only candidate to support all these progressive agenda items that matter to me: single payer health care, safe consumption sites, a cap on charter schools, fare-free public transportation, and ending qualified immunity.”
“Quentin Palfrey’s experience & policy positions are the right fit, full stop. I think Palfrey’s experience in office would better allow him to hit the ground running using the AG’s office proactively from day one.”
“He’s bright, thoughtful and caring. Public service is in his genes. Quentin is a doer. He is strong and committed to issues of importance to me. I share his values. He doesn’t just talk about ideas; he walks the walk and makes things happen.”
“I’m impressed with Quentin Palfrey’s breadth and depth of legal experience across so many different critical areas, and his leadership of huge efforts, including the healthcare division of the AG’s office itself. I can’t imagine anyone more prepared to step right into the role of Attorney General, ready to be the people’s attorney, pushing us toward greater equity, justice, health, and sustainability. Quentin has the experience to interrupt our state’s indefensible practices, and to push or work with other branches of government when either is called for.”
Learn more about Quentin at https://www.quentinpalfrey.com/.
State Auditor: Chris Dempsey
Throughout his career in public service and advocacy, Chris Dempsey has been committed to making state government work better for everyday people—whether that’s through innovations at the Department of Transportation, standing up against special interests and misuse of public funds in the fight against Boston’s Olympic bid, or advocating for equitable and efficient transportation. A systems thinker and a coalition builder, Chris has demonstrated creativity in his approach to what the Office of the State Auditor can do on climate change and police accountability. An Auditor needs to uncover data and then use it to advocate for a better Commonwealth, and Chris has the track record to do it.
Here’s what our members said about Chris:
“I am energized by Chris’s commitment to making the Auditor’s Office the first in the country to incorporate carbon accounting. We need a leader who isn’t afraid to stand up and hold state government accountable for the climate goals we’ve written into law.”
“Chris Dempsey has an expansive vision of the role of the state auditor’s office. He also has the technical and managerial skills to do the job.”
“Chris Dempsey is the clear progressive choice and he has the requisite experience to hit the ground on day one and hold those in power accountable.”
“He’s a strong strategic thinker. What is there to not like about a state auditor who is strategic, has vision, and personal tools to carry it out?”
“Chris’ history of coalition building and his focus on improving government efficiency both financially and with his climate audit make him a clear choice of PM. “
“Chris is smart, courageous & proved his willingness to take on the status quo with his opposition to the Olympics proposal.”
“In his leadership with No Boston Olympics, Chris Dempsey demonstrated his commitment to holding power accountable and to taking on influential special interests. And, Dempsey is a vocal public transit advocate. As someone who wants to see massive public transit investment to improve the quality and accessibility of service, I think Dempsey would be a stronger advocate in statewide office.”
“Chris Dempsey is professional, forward looking and insightful. He has an activist vision for the Auditor’s office.”
“I met Chris when we led the Campaign for No to the Boston Olympics. He took on powerful business leaders to spare us from chaos, wasteful spending that would have put the Commonwealth in debt had we hosted the Olympics. His team argued the facts and prevailed. He showed guts, conviction and didn’t cower when the campaign was backed by power brokers. We need Chris in the Auditor’s office to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely and in the manner they were intended to be spent.”
“Chris Dempsey brings a whole new vision to what the Auditor’s office can do! He has the values to choose investigations that matter to MA residents, and the experience to both carry out those investigations and make sure the findings are acted on.”
Learn more about Chris at https://dempseyforauditor.com/.
