Celeste Ribeiro Myers, candidate for Suffolk County’s State Representative seat in the First District, last week committed to refusing campaign donations from special interest organizations and political action committees and challenged her opponent to do the same. In a letter to Rep. Carlo Basile, Myers also asked the incumbent to join her in refusing donations from groups and organizations with a special interest in legislation before the House of Representatives.
“By joining together in this ‘people’s pledge,’” she wrote, “we will send a message to voters over the coming months that we are beholden to only them, rather than any outside special interest groups.”
Lobbyists and special interest organizations have given millions to candidates across the Commonwealth in an effort to influence their legislative priorities. Myers notes in her letter to Basile that East Boston has seen numerous groups attempt to impose their will on the neighborhood over the years and specifically cited the almost $3 million spent by Suffolk Downs and Caesars Entertainment leading up to their unsuccessful casino referendum in November. And with a question on the ballot that could repeal the 2011 casino law, millions more are sure to pour into East Boston and throughout the state in the coming months from casino companies and their lobbyists.
“I know you’ll agree that East Boston is a special place, a place where residents are invested in our community and know what is best for ourselves,” she wrote. “As we saw at the polls last November, voters here are savvy and do not fall for the messages from outside groups attempting to impose their will on us. They are disgusted with special interest money, its influence and how it undermines the democratic process because they have seen it in this community, across the state and across the nation.”
Myers, a lifelong East Boston resident, officially kicked off her campaign for State Representative on June 26 at an energetic event with more than 150 supporters on-hand. Former state Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi introduced Myers at the event, lauding her political courage and urging East Boston residents to send her to the State House. Myers is known for leading the ballot question campaign group No Eastie Casino, which successfully defeated a proposal to site a casino at Suffolk Downs in East Boston on Nov. 5, 2013.
Myers’ robust platform includes plans to give residents more say in how Eastie develops; transportation improvements; job creation and economic development; health; and equality and inclusion for all. Check out her entire platform at www.celesteforeastboston.com.
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