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.
View Comments (5)
So is Meyers also refusing to seek the support of special interest/advocacy groups and organized labor too through the typical endorsement process? From reading this, I assume this means she will not be seeking endorsements from any of such organizations. What say you Celeste?
Celeste will be seeing endorsements and will be happy to sit down with whichever group may be interested in her candidacy, but we will not be accepting campaign contributions or expenditures on behalf of the campaign from any outside groups.
So if I can translate here: When Celeste says "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" what she is really saying is she will also be beholden to any outside special interest groups including organized labor and advocacy groups who are willing to support her. Why else would she even seek their endorsement then? Silly.
I think that Celeste is fabulous and I completely understand what her stand is on not accepting contributions/donations from special interest organizations and political action committees. I thought that she was quite clear in her statement and applaud her for this. . Gaining support is far different than accepting money. She has gained my support and all I expect from her is that when elected she do her job for her community- looking out for our interest and not her interest or anyone else's. Celeste is a person of honor and integrity and will do this. Celeste has proven that she is willing to go the distance and stand up for the community she loves dearly. East Boston needs someone like Celeste to be there for out for the community. I wish her success in her campaign. Kudos to you Celeste!
I thought she wasn't going to run a negative campaign?