The race for Massachusetts’ District 9 congressional seat this year features two candidates: one an experienced incumbent, the other a first-time runner who happens to be a comedian on the side.
The incumbent is Stephen Lynch, who has represented the ninth district since 2001. It was in this year that incumbent Joe Moakley passed away, leaving a vacant seat. In the special election, Lynch garnered about 40 percent of the vote, and in the elections since, he has run unopposed or won by vast majorities.
First-time candidate for public officer, Vernon Harrison, is the chief technologist for the firm Unitiv Inc. He has owned electronic repair businesses for a majority of his life and has virtually no political experience.
The ninth congressional district in Massachusetts consists of the southeastern part of the state. This includes towns such as Easton, Braintree, Milton, Bridgewater, Brockton, and parts of South Boston. Though the district extends a long way, it has the lowest population of the 10 congressional districts in the Commonwealth, according to the 2000 census.
Since 2001, the district as well as the state of Massachusetts, has been in Democratic hands. During Lynch’s tenure, he has established and been heavily involved with legislation regarding labor and working rights. Lynch’s father was an ironworker and he became an ironworker after graduating from South Boston High School. Before beginning his political career, Lynch served as the president of the Iron Worker’s Union.
Lynch graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in construction management, a degree from Boston College Law School, and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. After passing the bar exam in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Lynch practiced as a labor and employment attorney.
Though Lynch was unable to be reached for an interview, his website provides information regarding issues that face the ninth district. One of the major issues for the congressman is the economy. Lynch supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This piece of legislation is intended to save 3-4 million jobs, give 95 percent of Americans an immediate tax cut, and inject funds into the American economy.
According to his campaign website, Lynch also strongly values legislation which he sees as benefitting working families. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus. The committee focuses on the fact that all employees and families have a right to a safe workplace and a decent wage. In establishing the committee, Lynch noted that he believes the government has an obligation to ensure that all Americans are able to enjoy a decent standard of living.
Several years ago, Lynch pushed for “The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007,” which would raise minimum wage over two years (the bill passed). In a speech on Jan. 10, 2007 to the U.S. Senate, Lynch said, “In today’s economic climate, minimum wage workers working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks, earn $10,712. That’s more than $5,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. Quite simply, these families deserve a raise.”
Though Lynch has been an active supporter of legislation that helps and benefits working class families, his opponent feels strongly that those in power now are doing nothing to lower taxes and failing to create better economic and living conditions for taxpayers.
Vernon Harrison, a southeastern Mass. native and Republican from Brockton, comes from a working family as well, and is now raising five children. He received 63 percent of the vote to run against Lynch in the primary election. A member of the Tea Party movement, Harrison embraces the fact that he has never held a political office before. Harrison also feels strongly about the economy and job creation.
In an interview via e-mail, Harrison answered questions regarding his top priorities and problems facing District Nine.
“Job creation and the economy are absolute top priorities,” he said. “These are tightly intertwined with the size of government, government spending and the national debt.”
Regarding central issues for the district, Harrison cited “lack of jobs, overly burdensome taxation and the lack of political leaders who are willing to listen to the people of the ninth district, regardless of party affiliation,” as some of the most pressing matters.
Harrison continued talking about how, if elected, he plans to address the issues.
“I would introduce legislation that bans corporate welfare, stop stimulus spending, renegotiate debt with foreign nations and loosen bureaucracy around energy production to once and for all stop our dependency on foreign energy.
“Creating jobs and strengthening the economy by having the courage to make the government cuts that will be necessary to free the private sector and stoop wasteful government spending,” Harrison said.
Harrison also went on to describe what he sees as a difference between himself and the current congressmen.
“I am not tied to special interests, which means I can listen to the residents of the ninth district instead of lobbyists. Unlike Lynch, I am not a career politician beholden to unions and special interests” he said.
“I would not vote for more federal government stimulus, and I do not favor government takeover of healthcare. I am for private sector growth, not government-funded programs that benefits unions only,” he added.
Harrison and Lynch share a few of the same views on certain matters. Both are from working families in the southeastern region of the state, and in that respect, both support programs that boost the economy and wages for the middle class. Both candidates have also expressed interest and support for a single-payer healthcare system.
Recently, Harrison was endorsed by former Governor Mitt Romney and current Senator Scott Brown.
Harrison and Lynch also share the ballot with Independent candidate from Westwood Phil Dunkelbarger.
Ashley Berger can be reached at [email protected]
