Capuano says he's in the Senate race

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/09/by_travis_andersen_globe_corre.html

While Attorney General Martha Coakley was making her case to take over Edward M. Kennedy's seat in the Senate last night in Medford, a familiar Somerville politician also has thrown his hat in the ring.

US Representative Michael Capuano told the Globe that while Coakley may be the early favorite, he was the "only progressive" who could carry on the work of Kennedy, the famed Liberal Lion of the Senate.

"I'm doing it,'' Capuano said about entering the race.

He said he wanted to "make sure that my view of this is shared by others whose opinion I respect,'' and that "so far, the answer seems to be a resounding yes.''

Capuano, like Coakley a Democrat, represents the 8th District, which includes the northern three-fourths of Boston, as well as Cambridge and Somerville. Prior to joining Congress, Capuano served as mayor of Somerville and on the Board of Aldermen.

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He's such a stronger and better candidate than Coakley or Lynch. I'd consider holding back making my choice if Jim McGovern or some other real deal good candidate announces but right now I urge everybody to support the man from District 8.

He eeked out his seat against a crowded field by tireless campaigning with no missteps.

He will be tough to beat. Martha will have to go right at him with her best stuff to win.

He'll outshine,outwork,and outclass Steve Lynch in every public setting.


I think Lynch will decide not to enter the race because of this.

I can see him winning - he's already in the House and voters will respond well to that. We need someone who will carry on Kennedy's legacy and he has a verifiable record of that. And quite frankly, I've really never been that crazy about Coakley.

affordable health for all is also one of his major concerns. For example, Kennedy sponsored a community health center bill back in the 1960's and Capuano was a founder of the community health center caucus in Congress. He is also a member of the House Progressive Caucus. From wiki, his Congressional chairs:

Party leadership and Caucus membership
Chair, Speaker's Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
Democratic Caucus: Chair, Committee on Organization, Study & Review
Democratic Steering & Policy Committee
Congressional Caucus on Community Health Centers (co-founder and co-chair)
Congressional Caucus on Empowerment Zones and Empowered Communities (co-chair)
Congressional Caucus on Korea (co-founder and co-chair)
Congressional Caucus on Sudan (co founder and co-chair)
Congressional Former Mayor's Caucus (co-founder and co-chair)
Congressional Progressive Caucus