Beyond 495

HT to Talking Politics

Niki Tsongas has formed a congressional exploratory committee, a first step toward a decision to run for the 5th Congressional seat, should Marty Meehan step down for the Chancellorship of UML (which from hereafter will be refered to as the *standard disclaimer*)

I don’t know Niki Tsongas, but I know there is a tremendous amount of goodwill for her philanthropic work and obviously as the widow of one of the most well-respected Massachusetts Senators. She doesn’t currently live in the district, she lives in Charlestown, but has plans to move back to Lowell, I would imagine for purposes of running in this race *standard disclaimer*

There are two things that I hear over and over about Mrs Tsongas as a possible candidate, first is that she is from Lowell which is great, and I got nuthin’ but love for my homies in Lowell (Hi, Lynne!) but Lowell does not own this congressional seat.

The second thing I hear, is that people like the idea of getting a woman elected. Hey, I’m as down for the sisterhood as my fellow sisters, but I don’t think that just the fact the candidate is a woman should be the only factor considered in who is elected to congress, anymore than I think the deciding factor should be that the candidate is a man.

The focus should be on who has the best range of experience and who can bring the best ideas to the job. That’s why I’m endorsing Jamie Eldridge.

Also, not for nuthin’, but in this race, as short and intense as it’s likely to be, it won’t just be about who can raise the most money, which I understand Mrs Tsongas in particular excels at, but rather I think it will come down to what worked for Deval Patrick: A candidate with a great inspiring message and person-to-person, grassroots connections.

Earlier this month, there was a discussion on this topic at Left in Lowell.