It's election day in Massachusetts, and if you're a Massachusetts voter, it's time to get your friends and family, find your polling place, and cast your ballot for Martha today! Every vote will be critical in this neck-and-neck race, and we're all counting on you to keep this seat in Democratic hands!
We'll be posting up-to-the-minute results on our website today, so check back for the latest news after polls close at 8 p.m.
Just wanted to make sure you saw the great new ad Martha's campaign launched today, reminding us exactly how important it is we help elect Martha to the Senate.
In the ad, President Obama speaks at a campaign rally, telling the crowd about Martha's long record of service for the people of Massachusetts, including her tough stance on Wall Street and her work to protect citizens against predatory lenders.
Polls open in less than 24 hours in Massachusetts, where EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley is racing toward the finish line. This race couldn't be tighter -- and the GOP is pulling out all the stops in an attempt to take over the Senate seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
But Martha's field operation is in full swing, and voter turnout will be critical. President Obama visited Massachusetts this weekend, helping to energize voters, make sure they know how critical this Democratic seat is, and get them to the polls tomorrow.
Here's a clip from his rally with Martha:
Already, the members of EMILY's List have made a remarkable difference in this race, mobilizing when Martha needed our support most. But she's going to need all hands on deck to keep this seat in the Democratic column. If you're interested in volunteering, click here to visit Martha's website.
If you're a Massachusetts voter, make sure to get your friends and family to the polls tomorrow! Martha's counting on you! Click here to find your polling location.
Polls show a volatile race in Massachusetts, and there's no doubt voter turnout is going to decide whether Democrats keep our crucial 60th seat in the Senate.
EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley is crisscrossing the state, meeting with voters and making sure they remember to get to the polls tomorrow. She's also continuing to bring in key endorsements in the final days of the race, including from the newspapers of her GOP opponent's hometown.
Here are a few clips from some of Martha's recent endorsements you won't want to miss:
Berkshire Eagle
"Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley will be an ally in the fight to make America a better nation for all Americans, not just the privileged and well-connected. Republican state Senator Scott Brown will be just another "no" vote, a rubber-stamp with nothing positive to offer. The choice is that clear, the election that critical."
Springfield Republican
"We urge Bay State voters to ignore the attack ads and fear mongering and elect Martha Coakley as the person who will pick up the torch for Kennedy."
"Massachusetts needs a senator who understands the needs of middle-class families that are struggling to pay their mortgages, maintain their health coverage, send their kids to college and plan for their retirement. Those are the people Sen. Kennedy spent his 47-year career fighting for – and that’s who Martha Coakley will fight for."
New Bedford Standard Times
"In the attorney general's office, Coakley has carved out a position of leadership. She returned millions of dollars to the state from Big Dig contractors, protected homeowners in foreclosure from sham rescue schemes, and earlier in her career, prosecuted high-profile criminal cases, including those of alleged sexual predators."
Attleboro Sun Chronicle
"As the state's first female attorney general, Democrat Coakley since 2007 has proven herself an effective administrator. Throughout her career as a lawyer and district attorney she has exhibited rare skills in mediation and conciliation - the arts of finding middle ground for divergent viewpoints. It will serve her, and Massachusetts, well in the Senate."
The Boston Globe's headline says it all: "Conservative group launches another attack ad against Coakley."
Martha has been inundated by attacks, including some from the same people responsible for the Willie Horton and Swiftboat ads. And now, they're on the attack again.
Fortunately, Martha's supporters are fighting back against the attacks and bolstering Martha's qualifications and dedication to Massachusetts citizens. In an ad released today, Vicki Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, speaks about her decision to support Martha's campaign.
Watch it here:
Former President Bill Clinton is appearing at an event for Martha today, and President Barack Obama has also announced he'll head to Massachusetts this weekend to help get voters to polls.
We're thrilled Martha has the support of top Democratic leaders in this race -- but we also know she'll need everyone of us standing behind her to win this seat. The polls continue to show this will be neck-and-neck until election day, and it's going to take all of us, working together, to secure a victory for Martha.
And, if you're a Massachusetts voter, click here to find your polling location -- and don't forget to bring your friends and family members to the polls with you on Tuesday!
If you're interested in volunteering for Martha, visit her campaign website for more information.
When it comes to women's rights, GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown has made one thing clear: women voters should turn and run.
Reproductive rights have become a central issue of the Massachusetts special election, where EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley has taken a strong stand in defense of abortion rights. Brown, however, hasn't been quite so forthright.
Representatives of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women, and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus held a joint press conference this week where they spoke of Brown's use of “smoke and mirrors’’ to conceal a record dangerous for women, including sponsoring an amendment that would have allowed hospital employees to deny emergency contraceptives to victims of sexual assault based on religious beliefs.
Here's what Andrea Miller, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, said:
“Time and again, Scott Brown has shown that he is willing to compromise, for political gain, the health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable women in Massachusetts...And this includes victims of sexual assault.’’
Brown recently filed legislation that would allow the elimination of mandated coverage for critical health services for women -- including mammograms and maternity care.
Massachusetts women certainly deserve more than what Brown has to offer. Fortunately, Martha Coakley has proven herself a committed advocate for women and girls -- and she's exactly the candidate we need in the Senate.
The right-wing is coming out in full force for GOP candidate Scott Brown in the Massachusetts special Senate election. And with voters heading to the polls just one week from today to fill the seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, it's sure to be a sprint to the finish between Brown and EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley.
While Coakley's being hit by the American Future Fund, which has already spent $700,000 on the race, reports are that Brown is receiving major support from the Chamber of Commerce and the so-called Tea Party movement. In an appeal to supporters, one Tea Party leader said Brown's election to the Senate "would strip Democrats of the ability to pass the [health care] bill." He also called for Tea Partiers to "throw all of our resources behind Brown" to help him win. So far, right-wing third-party groups have spent $1.2 million on the race.
Brown has also made a major fundraising push on his website, a "moneybomb event," which helped him raise $1.3 million in just 24 hours. His recent appearances on Fox News -- and some buzz from Rush Limbaugh -- have no doubt helped his fundraising efforts.
Martha has been reaching out to voters and we know she's the candidate to carry on the progressive legacy of Sen. Ted Kennedy. But we can't afford to take any chances, especially with Democrats' 60-seat majority on the line.
There's lots of news coming out of Massachusetts as we near the one-week mark before the January 19 special Senate election.
EMILY's List members across the country are going all-out to support Martha's final campaign push, an effort that's helping her respond to the barrage of right-wing attacks she's facing and ensure her supporters get to the polls next Tuesday.
Here are a few notes from the campaign trail you won't want to miss:
Martha's GOP opponent, state Sen. Scott Brown, has been showcasing "his conservative leanings," according to the Boston Globe, in an attempt to woo far-right conservatives. Marion Just, a Wellesley professor of political science, told the Globe, "He seems to be looking more to the Tea Party protesters than to the traditional Republican base here in the state." No surprise, considering the GOP has made clear its playing to Tea Party sentiments to rile up supporters and make gains in Congress.
Polls in the state have fluctuated greatly in recent days, showing a tightening race. There's no doubt Martha will need to mobilize every one of her supporters to make sure Senator Ted Kennedy's seat doesn't fall into Republican hands.
Martha is still racking up endorsements, including one this weekend from the Milford Daily News, which called her "a strong leader, a good communicator and an effective collaborator." We couldn't agree more. This latest endorsement comes on the heels of last week's event with members of the Kennedy family and other Massachusetts leaders who announced their support of Martha in the race.
We'll keep you updated as we enter the final sprint.
We're 10 days away from Martha Coakley's special Senate election to fill the late Senator Ted Kennedy's seat, and Martha needs our immediate help!
Polls have shown a tightening race, and Martha is under attack from major GOP and right-wing special interests. She's facing an onslaught of lies and misrepresentations of her record -- and she must fight back in order to win this seat and help Democrats maintain our 60-seat majority!
We have the opportunity to elect the first woman senator from Massachusetts and ensure that a strong progressive carries on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy. But we have to join together now to help Martha keep this seat in Democratic hands.
Martha Coakley's campaign had big news today -- Vicki Kennedy, the wife of former Senator Edward M. Kennedy, officially endorsed Martha today, an important show of support close to election day.
Also endorsing Martha at the event were Senator Paul Kirk, Congressman Ed Markey, former Congressman Joseph Kennedy, and Joseph Kennedy III.
Telling supporters at the event "We need Martha," Kennedy said Coakley is the candidate the state needs to represent them in the Senate:
“We can’t take this election for granted. Our enemy is complacency... As Ted would say, ‘January 19 is the date, Martha Coakley is the candidate.’ ”
Joseph Kennedy, nephew of Senator Kennedy, also pointed out that Martha is poised to become the state's first woman senator. “With Martha Coakley we are going to put into Washington the first female senator. Teddy would be just so happy to know that’s his legacy,” he said.
With the support of EMILY's List members like you, Martha is on her way to becoming the 16th pro-choice Democratic woman elected to the Senate, and the first woman elected to the Senate from Massachusetts.
Martha recorded a personal video thank you message for EMILY's List members below:
I once heard historian John D'Emilio speak about the "leaping and creeping" of social change. Members of EMILY's List certainly understand this concept -- that we slog through trying to change the world for the better, periodically celebrating small victories, when all of the sudden there is a convergence of facts that creates huge and significant change. Having lived through the upheaval of the Thomas-Hill hearings and the "year of the woman," I'm always eager for the next leap forward!
Tuesday, December 8, wasn't as great a leap as 1992, but it certainly was a convergence of facts and success that resulted in tremendous celebration of our victories together. Hooray for Martha Coakley, who will soon become the 16th pro-choice Democratic woman elected to the Senate with help from EMILY's List! And hooray for the defeat of the Nelson-Hatch Amendment, the Senate version of the Stupak Amendment, that would eliminate insurance coverage for abortion for millions of women. Every woman we helped elect to the House and Senate voted to protect women from this anti-choice effort.
One victory shows that we know how to win. One victory shows why we need to win.
Martha Coakley was victorious in her Senate primary election tonight, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be part of her team. EMILY's List members mobilized quickly to support Martha in this high-profile special election, and our hard work certainly played a role in such an exciting win.
Martha sent out a message to her supporters tonight, and we wanted to make sure you saw it.
Here are a few words of thanks from Martha:
The polls have closed, the voters have spoken, and I am so delighted to tell you that tonight, with great honor and humility, I will accept the Democratic Party nomination to the United States Senate.
I am so grateful for your support in this campaign. With focus, grit, hard work, optimism, enthusiasm, commitment, and a sense of humor, you made tonight possible.
After three action-packed months, we've already arrived at election day in Massachusetts!
Attorney General Martha Coakley is in a strong position as voters head to the polls in today's special primary election, thanks in part to EMILY's List members who supported Martha early on in this critical, high-profile race.
But as we all know, special elections often have low-turnout, and every vote will be important to ensure a victory for Martha.
We'll be posting live updates as polls close tonight, so check back at www.emilyslist.org for the latest results.
Here are some election day photos from Martha's campaign:
We're one day away from the special primary election in the Massachusetts Senate race, and there have been plenty of great news stories we don't want you to miss.
Here's a quick round-up of news highlights from Martha's campaign:
We're thrilled to see that former President Bill Clinton has announced his endorsement of Martha in the race to fill the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat. Not only has Clinton thrown his support behind Martha, but he's also working hard on her behalf, recording a phone call set to go out to 500,000 potential voters throughout the state. According to CQ Politics, Clinton's messages tells voters Martha will "fight every day to create jobs with good benefits and health reform with a strong public option."
Trailblazing women political leaders also announced their support of Martha this weekend, emphasizing her leadership, experience, and strong progressive record. Included in a joint press release were endorsements from the following women: Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy (retired), the first woman three-star General in the U.S. Army; Mary Beth Cahill, Senator Kennedy's former chief of staff and former EMILY’s List executive director; Ann Lewis, former White House communications director for President Bill Clinton and senior advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president; and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy, the first female statewide officeholder. Read what they had to say about Martha here.
Martha also announced the endorsements of seven major newspapers, showing critical local support for her race days before voters head to the polls. In their endorsement, the New Bedford Times explained exactly why they believe Martha is the best candidates to represent the state in the Senate: “Martha Coakley best exemplifies the qualities that make an effective U.S. Senator. A Senator must be tough yet polished, a shrewd negotiator who is willing to compromise. Coakley strikes that balance, giving her the edge in a race against opponents who hold similar political views.” With these new endorsements, Martha has now received endorsements from nine Massachusetts newspapers.
Just wanted to make sure you saw the great news that women's rights leader Gloria Steinem has endorsed Martha Coakley today in the Massachusetts Senate race!
Here's what Gloria had to say in her endorsement:
“I'm proud to stand with Martha Coakley... She is the one candidate who can give Massachusetts a future as proud and pioneering as its past. She not only brings with her the caring, commitment and issues of Senator Edward Kennedy, but the leadership to advance them in this twenty-first century. As the first woman ever to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate, she will be an historic advocate for women and families, and a voice for unity in the state and the nation. Millions will be looking to Massachusetts on December 8th -- if Martha wins, democracy wins."
The reviews are in -- Massachusetts Senate candidate Martha Coakley's performance in last night's debate among the Democratic candidates was articulate, engaging, and downright senatorial.
During an event that certainly got heated among her opponents, Coakley "managed to stay above the fray" according to CQ Politics, focusing instead on explaining her positions on the issues to voters.
An op-ed in today's Boston Globe showed exactly how well frontrunner Martha did in this last debate:
"Attorney General Martha Coakley hit her debate stride at just the right moment, turning in a confident, assertive, and likable performance and emerging unscathed from the final face-off."
And now, with just five days left, Martha's campaign will put all its energy into its get-out-the-vote operation, because every vote will be critical in what likely will be a low turnout special election.
In his latest piece, Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam says "[r]ight-thinking women everywhere have begged me not to write this column." He also writes that his Globe editors "will later claim they had no idea how it got in the paper."
Feign ignorance if you want, Boston Globe, but we'd like to know how you're not horrified this was ever published.
We've seen plenty of unbelievable coverage before -- articles about clothes and appearances -- but Beam's article takes ridiculous news coverage to a whole different level.
Calling frontrunner (and EMILY's List candidate) Martha Coakley a "knockout," Beam doesn't just cross the line of appropriate political coverage. He charges right over it -- explaining exactly how he thinks Martha's clothes, photographs, and age play into the race. And we're not talking about an academic examination of factors. Beam explains exactly what outfits he likes and dislikes on Martha and compares Martha's looks to women senators.
This is unacceptable, offensive, and an insult to Massachusetts voters -- and I can't imagine how Beam's column ever made the newspaper's cut. In a campaign as critical and high-profile as the one to fill Senator Ted Kennedy's seat, it's incredibly disappointing that anything like Beam's column was ever published (and in a major newspaper, no less). Less than one week out from election day -- with issues like Afghanistan, a struggling economy, and health care on the line -- the press is spending time dissecting a candidate's clothes and "babe" factor?
Two exciting endorsements for Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts Senate race!
With less than a week until election day, The Providence Journalannounced its support of Martha's campaign today:
"Ms. Coakley has shown herself a highly disciplined, measured and thoughtful public servant as a long-time prosecutor and for three years attorney general, where she also won plaudits for her administrative ability."
Noting Martha's "considerable character and independence," the newspaper called Martha the "best candidate" in the race -- and we couldn't agree more.
Also on the list of Martha's endorsements this week are the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police, who announced their support yesterday:
"First as District Attorney and then as Attorney General, Martha Coakley has been a great partner to law enforcement here in Massachusetts. She has worked to fight violence in our communities, including playing a lead role in the passage of Jessica’s Law and has worked to put much needed resources in the hands of law enforcement officers across the state. Martha Coakley has been a friend to law enforcement in Massachusetts and we know she will stand by us in Washington."
Martha has certainly worked as a partner with the state's law enforcement officers to fight crime, and we know she's the right person to keep Massachusetts families safe.
As citizens of Massachusetts get ready to go to the polls in exactly one week, Senate candidate Martha Coakley is making plans to travel across the state and talk to as many of those voters as she can.
On Thursday, Martha will begin a 5-day tour across the Commonwealth, holding a series of rallies, community visits, and other campaign events.
“In this election every vote is going to count, and we are going to do everything we can to speak directly with voters in these last days and get out our vote on December 8," says Martha.
"Our next Senator will address critical issues for the people of Massachusetts – from implementing meaningful health care reform to turning this economy around to keeping our communities safe. We are going to keep working throughout this campaign so that, if I am fortunate enough to win in December and then January, we can then get to work for the people of this Commonwealth.”
This final week is sure to be the most exciting yet. Be sure to check back here for updates on Martha's history-making race!
Just wanted to make sure you saw the great news that women's rights leader 
Two exciting endorsements for 
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