Each candidate in each of these race was invited to fill out [...]]]> The Progressive Voter Guide is a collection of information that progressive voters in Jamaica Plain (and beyond!) may find useful when deciding which candidate(s) to support in the Second Suffolk State Senate, 15th Suffolk State Rep and 6th Suffolk State Rep races.

Each candidate in each of these race was invited to fill out a questionnaire created by the members of the JP Progressives on a number of topics of importance to the group.

In addition, we invited each candidate in the Second Suffolk and 15th Suffolk races to speak, answer questions from the group based on their questionnaire, and meet members of the JP Progressives.

Read the Questionnaires

Each questionnaire is online. See the menu bar, above, to select which candidate’s questionnaire you would like to view.

Watch Video

On August 25, the JP Progressives had conversations with the candidates for the 2nd Suffolk Senate and 15th Suffolk Rep seat. Each candidate had previously submitted responses to the JPP Questionnaire. During this series of 25-30 minute conversations before about 40-50 JP voters,the JPP asked candidates to elaborate on their responses to the questionnaire, prior to opening up the floor to the audience.

Watch the videos:

Second Suffolk

State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz
Hassan Williams

15th Suffolk

Jeffrey Herman
State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez

Though we didn’t have an opportunity to do a forum for the open seat for the 6th Suffolk Representative, we did solicit questionnaires from the candidates for that seat. You can see the responses from those who chose to participate here.

Get Involved

Did you find the Progressive Voter Guide helpful? Then please let your friends, family co-workers and neighbors know about the project.

Building on the successful candidate forum series we held last year for the At-Large City Council & Mayoral Candidates, we’re back at it again for State Senate and State Representative Candidates this year. We’ve asked all the candidates in the Second Suffolk Senate [...]]]> Please join us at this year’s JP Progressives Legislative Candidates’ Forum!

Building on the successful candidate forum series we held last year for the At-Large City Council & Mayoral Candidates, we’re back at it again for State Senate and State Representative Candidates this year. We’ve asked all the candidates in the Second Suffolk Senate District, the Fifteenth Suffolk House District, and the Eleventh Suffolk House District to fill out a questionnaire and join us at the candidate’s forum.

(We’ve also invited the candidates for the Sixth Suffolk seat, which includes a very small sliver of Jamaica Plain, to fill out the questionnaire as well.)

August 25th
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Nate Smith House, 155 Lamartine St. (Right by Stonybrook T)

We’ll post more info once we’ve heard back from all the candidates about whether or not they will be attending.
These meetings are open to the public, and we highly encourage you to bring your friends and neighbors who might be interested in learning more about these candidates.

We’ll be joined by State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Representative Liz Malia, as well as experts from area non-profits (City Life Urbana, Boston Tenants Coalition & ESAC) to talk to us about the foreclosure crisis [...]]]> JP Progressive Forum: Understanding the Foreclosure Crisis
Wednesday, May 5th, 7pm, In the back of:
Doyle’s Restaurant, Jamaica Plain

We’ll be joined by State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Representative Liz Malia, as well as experts from area non-profits (City Life Urbana, Boston Tenants Coalition & ESAC) to talk to us about the foreclosure crisis and bills before the Legislature right now.

Foreclosure Forum Outreach:In addition to emailing local groups, and posting on various websites and newspapers, we’ll be putting up fliers around JP. If you have any time to hang a few fliers this weekend or early next week, please email JPP Co-Chair, reuben.kantor@comcast.net for more information.

Download the PDF Flyer

Some action items and ways you can get involved are below:

We’ll be joined by State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Representative Liz Malia, as [...]]]> We had a productive business meeting On April 21, 2010.

Some action items and ways you can get involved are below:

1. Attend:
   JP Progressive Forum: Understanding the Foreclosure Crisis
   Wednesday, May 5th, 7pm, In the back of:
   Doyle’s Restaurant, Jamaica Plain

   We’ll be joined by State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Representative Liz Malia, as well as experts from area non-profits (City Life Urbana, Boston Tenants Coalition & ESAC) to talk to us about the foreclosure crisis and bills before the Legislature right now.

   Foreclosure Forum Outreach:In addition to emailing local groups, and posting on various websites and newspapers, we’ll be putting up fliers around JP. If you have any time to hang a few fliers this weekend or early next week, please email JPP Co-Chair, reuben.kantor@comcast.net for more information. (You can also email Reuben to get a copy of the PDF if you’d like to forward it on to friends or any local listservs you might be a part of!)

2. Work with us on:
   Progressive Voter Guide: There will be MANY local races happening this fall, from the Governor on down to State Representative, which means we’ve got a great opportunity to put together another good progressive voter guide.

   First step: Coming up with a draft questionnaire. Melody Hugo will be heading up the questionnaire-writing taskforce. If you’d like to help out with that, please email her at melody.hugo@gmail.com.

   Second Step: Coming up with an endorsement process. We came up with a good outline of things to think about in a possible endorsement process, and decided that we would make a final determination about endorsements at our next business meeting. (Which will be May 19th, 7pm @ Doyles). A written proposal will be created for discussion purposes. If you have a strong opinion about what an endorsement process should look like, please email, JPP Co-Chair, Melissa Threadgill at melissa.threadgill@gmail.com. And of course, please come to the May 19th meeting!

3. Help Progressives get elected:Progressive Running Against Congressman Lynch
   Mac D’Alessandro, the New England Political Director for SEIU, has announced that he will be challenging Congressman Steve Lynch this fall.

   JP Progressive Member Melody Hugo is helping run the signature collection drive. If you would like to help collect signatures locally, email her at melody.hugo@gmail.com.

   Progressive Running for The People’s Seat (aka Scott Brown’s Seat)
   Although not technically a JP race, this special election on May 11th has significance for progressives across the state and country. Think about what a message it would send if a progressive Democrat (and, moreover, an emergency room physician and health care policy expert!) were elected to fill the seat formerly held by Scott Brown!

   Peter Smulowitz, a doctor from Needham, recently won the Democratic Primary. He now faces off against Republican Richard Ross (with the help of a few JP Progressive members who held a phone bank for him!)

   If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please email me at melissa.threadgill@gmail.com. She can tell you what you can do to help!

We’ll be joined by local JP residents Ben Wright (Environment Massachusetts) and Viki Bok (Boston Climate Action Network), who will give us an overview of some of the big things being worked on at the city and state level to [...]]]> Join us for an educational forum on environmental issues in Boston and Jamaica Plain!

We’ll be joined by local JP residents Ben Wright (Environment Massachusetts) and Viki Bok (Boston Climate Action Network), who will give us an overview of some of the big things being worked on at the city and state level to reduce carbon emissions, increase recycling, and promote environmental justice, including some great programs their organizations are working on right in JP.

JP Progressives meetings are open to the public — all are welcome!

Date: Wed, March 31st, 7-9pm.
Location: Curtis Hall, Jamaica Plain