The Kennedy Family’s political dynasty started here in East Boston and now, some will argue, ended.
Incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey resoundingly beat U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III both in East Boston and across the state during last Tuesday’s Primary election.
Both Kennedy and Markey chose Eastie to kick off their campaigns and both chose the East Boston Social Centers, a 100 year neighborhood institution, as the backdrop for their bids for the Senate.
However, with key endorsements from Rep. Adrian Madaro and City Councilor Lydia Edwards in Eastie, Markey overwhelmed the younger candidate with widespread support in the neighborhood from Eastie progressives who supported Markey’s policies on the environment, job growth and better health care for all. .
At the end of the night Markey received 3,402 votes to Kennedy’s 2,119 votes in Eastie.
Markey won all of Eastie’s 14 Precincts with only Precincts 13 and 14 being close races. In those two Precincts, where a majority of Eastie’s ‘old guard’ lives, Markey received 267 votes to Kennedy’s 247 votes in 13 and in 14 Markey received 116 votes to Kennedy’s 101 votes.
“Tonight is more than just a celebration of an election, it is a celebration of a movement,” said Markey after his win last Tuesday. “Thank you to the thousands of grassroots supporters who organized around the principles that we believe in. We could not have done it without you. I am filled with hope for the future of our country and our planet because of the young people who are rising up to demand a Green New Deal.”
Rep. Madaro, who campaigned hard for Markey in Eastie and introduced the senator at his campaign kick off event in Eastie, was thrilled Markey was sent back to the Senate to work on behalf of Eastie residents and residents across the Commonwealth.
“East Boston turned out for Ed Markey in historic numbers, with a lead of almost 1200 votes and a clean sweep of all 14 precincts,” said Madaro. “Kudos to the local volunteers who helped make this possible. Voters across Mass chose to send Ed back to the US Senate to continue to fight for our priorities: fairer taxes, more jobs, better healthcare, Environmental Justice, and a Green New Deal.”
Markey will now face off against Republican Kevin O’Connor during November’s General Election.
In other races, incumbent Suffolk County Register of Probate Felix Arroyo beat Kerby Roberson in the state primary.
In Eastie, Arroyo received 3,748 votes to Roberson’s 2,061 votes.
Incumbent Massachusetts 6th District Governor’s Council representative Terrence Kennedy won his race against Helina Fontes.
In Eastie, Kennedy received 2,633 votes to Fontes’s 2,142 votes.
Running unopposed in Eastie were Rep. Adrian Madaro, Sen. Joseph Boncore and U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. In Eastie, Madaro received 4,724 votes, while Boncore received 4,446 votes and Pressley ended the night with 4,672 Eastie votes.