Massachusetts primary elections were held last week. Twelve of the 20 candidates endorsed by MassEquality faced opponents. Eleven of them prevailed. MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini, Esq. issued the following statement in response:

“We are so proud of the work done over the last weeks and months by our endorsed candidates, each of whom is a champion of LGBT equality. In the Second Franklin District, incumbent state representative Denise Andrews fended off a challenge from multiple opponents. And throughout the state we saw victories by pro-LGBT champions.

“Incumbent state representatives Denise Andrews (2nd Franklin District); Gloria Fox (7th Suffolk District); Alice Peisch (14th Norfolk District); Jason Lewis (31st Middlesex District); and Denise Provost (27th Middlesex District) and challengers Marjorie Decker (25th Middlesex District); Danielle Gregoire (4th Middlesex District); Mary Keefe (15th Worcester District); and Aaron Vega (5th Hampden District) all prevailed. Incumbent state Senators Sonia Chang-Díaz (2nd Suffolk District) and Jim Welch (Hampden District) also were victorious.

The lesson from these victories is that when you support equality, you win. And when we turn toward each other, support each other, and work for each other, we accomplish much more than when we turn against each other. All that said, our work is not over. These candidates, and many more, face challengers in November.  Many of these challengers, if elected, will work against LGBT equality. With the support of MassEquality’s tens of thousands of members throughout the state, we will be working hard to spread the message of LGBT equality and getting out the vote on Tuesday, November 6.”