The HDCC held its Third Congressional Meet and Greet (aka “Political Speed Dating”) on May 7 at Maria’s Galleria Banquet Room. Eleven of the twelve candidates running to replace Niki Tsongas attended:
Each candidate gave a two-minute opening statement. Going in alphabetical order, Ballinger, a labor watchdog, said that Republicans have demonized regulations; we need to show they work. Chandler will fight for lower-cost childcare, universal healthcare, gun safety, and high-quality education for all. Das is in favor of legislation that protects the independent council, and Gifford believes that government needs to earn back people’s trust. (Mouse over photo for identifying caption.)
Alexandra Chandler
Beej Das
Patrick Littlefield
Koh says that the American Dream is under attack, and L’Italien highlighted her work on Hunking School, the Rail Trail, and advocating for people with autism. Littlefield is running to improve the lives of working- and middle-class Americans, and Malone praised her parents, teachers, and mentors who helped her achieve the American Dream and says it is out of reach for many.
Dan Koh
Barbara L’Italien
Rufus Gifford
Bopha Malone
Matias talked about growing up in Haverhill and says that there’s too much at stake to sit back: the president does not believe her story makes America great. A newcomer to the race, St. John advocates for environmentally friendly jobs. Trahan will fight for working families — too many are struggling for a shot at the American Dream.
Juana Matias
Keith St. John
Lori Trahan
After the opening statements, the fun began. Each candidate spent five minutes (not enough time!) at each table, where we had prepared questions waiting for them. Our table’s question was, “Is there a cause that you are most passionate about?”
It was enlightening to hear these intelligent, committed candidates speak about what drives them to run for office. It was exciting to be able to ask follow-up questions and have conversations with them.
We are truly fortunate here in the Third District to have an amazing group of candidates running for Tsongas’ seat. If you want to know more about these candidates, please follow the links above to their websites. Once you’ve got a favorite, donate some time or money to help him or her get elected!
Events Committee meets May 14
The next HDCC events committee meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Monday, April 16. Please email Rosemary Young (young01950@yahoo.com) for location. The committee will be finalizing plans for the May 23 meet and greet.
Events Committee plans Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State meet and greet
The Events Committee is finalizing plans for a Meet and Greet for MA secretary of state and lieutenant governor on May 23. At this time Quentin Palfrey (lt. gov.), Jimmy Tingle (lt. gov.), and Josh Zakim’s (sec. of state) wife Grace have accepted the invitation. Stay tuned for more details on this chance to meet candidates running for these offices.
Immigration Committee meets May 21
The next Immigration Committee meeting is Monday, May 21, 5:30 p.m., at the Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room.
Action Committee meets May 21
The HDCC Action Committee will meet Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room. We are working on flip-the-congress and voter registration projects. Please join us!
Coming up
MEET & GREET: Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State candidates – Wednesday, May 23, 2018 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Barking Dog; light appetizers will be served. Stay tuned for further details.
News from the committees
Events committee
The Events committee continues to meet monthly and plan, organize, and hold events that educate, inform, and enlighten. Next meeting is Monday, May 14, at 6:30. Email Rosemary Young (young01950@yahoo.com) for location.
Immigration Task Force
Please see our action items page for May’s immigration action items. The next Immigration Task Force meeting is Monday, May 21, 5:30 p.m., Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room. Kathy Rurak is working on gathering info now on how we as a group can continue to support undocumented residents in our community as well as give attention to the bigger issues of Safe Communities and above all, The Dream Act.
Action committee
The Action committee is working on voter registration, getting out the vote, and flipping the Congress for 2018. Our next meeting is Monday, May 21, 6:30 p.m., Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room.
Upcoming HDCC meetings
Events Committee, May 14, 6:30 p.m. Email Rosemary Young (young01950@yahoo.com) for location.
Action Committee, May 21, 6:30 p.m., Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room.
The HDCC has committees that could use your ideas, help, and energy. The Events Committee(young01950@yahoo.com) is planning candidate meet and greet events. The Action Committee(chere.bemelmans@gmail.com) puts out the newsletter, maintains the new HDCC website, and is planning voter registration events and to flip the congress blue. Contact Kathy Rurak (jarandkas@comcast.net) for more information on the Immigration Task Force.
April 29, 2018
Political Speed Dating
Don’t forget about the Congressional Meet and Greet, or as some are calling it — “political speed dating”: Monday, May 7, 5:30 p.m., at Maria’s Family Restaurant Galleria Banquet Room, 85 Essex St., Haverhill. This is an excellent chance to get to know the candidates running for Niki Tsongas’s seat. Ziti-and-meatball dinner is available at 5:30, and the candidates start their opening statements at 6. Don’t miss this exciting event! Click here to print registration form.
Events Committee meets May 14
The next HDCC events committee meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Monday, April 16. Please email Rosemary Young (young01950@yahoo.com) for location. The committee will be finalizing plans for the May 23 meet and greet.
Events Committee plans Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State meet and greet
The Events Committee is finalizing plans for a Meet and Greet for MA secretary of state and lieutenant governor on May 23. At this time Quentin Palfrey (lt. gov.), Jimmy Tingle (lt. gov.), and Josh Zakim’s (sec. of state) wife Grace have accepted the invitation. Stay tuned for more details on this chance to meet candidates running for these offices.
Immigration Committee meets May 21
The next Immigration Committee meeting is Monday, May 21, 5:30 p.m., at the Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room.
Action Committee meets May 21
The HDCC Action Committee will meet Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room. We are working on flip-the-congress and voter registration projects. Please join us!
Coming up
MEET & GREET: 3RD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES – Monday, May 7, 2018 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Maria’s Family Restaurant. Come for a pasta dinner and meet the many candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd District congressional seat being vacated by Niki Tsongas at the end of her term. Each candidate will be provided time to speak and will then stay on to have further conversation with members and guests.
News from the committees
Events committee
The Events committee continues to meet monthly and plan, organize, and hold events that educate, inform, and enlighten. Next meeting is Monday, May 14, at 6:30. Email Rosemary Young (young01950@yahoo.com) for location.
Immigration Task Force
Please see our action items page for May’s immigration action items. The next Immigration Task Force meeting is Monday, May 21, 5:30 p.m., Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room. Kathy Rurak is working on gathering info now on how we as a group can continue to support undocumented residents in our community as well as give attention to the bigger issues of Safe Communities and above all, The Dream Act.
Action committee
The Action committee will be working on voter registration, getting out the vote, and flipping the Congress for 2018. Our next meeting is Monday, May 21, 6:30 p.m., Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room.
Upcoming HDCC meetings
Events Committee, May 14, 6:30 p.m. Email Rosemary Young (young01950@yahoo.com) for location.
Action Committee, May 21, 6:30 p.m., Haverhill library’s Milhendler Room.
The HDCC has committees that could use your ideas, help, and energy. The Events Committee (young01950@yahoo.com) is planning candidate meet and greet events. The Action Committee (chere.bemelmans@gmail.com) puts out the newsletter, maintains the new HDCC website, and is planning voter registration events and to flip the congress blue. Contact Kathy Rurak (jarandkas@comcast.net) for more information on the Immigration Task Force.
April 1, 2018
Congressional Candidates Meet and Greet Rescheduled!
We have a new date for the Congressional Candidates Meet and Greet – Monday, May 7 at 5:30 at Maria’s Family Restaurant, Galleria Banquet Room, 85 Essex St., Haverhill. With so many candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd CD, we wanted to present you with a unique opportunity to get to know the candidates better, and for them to get to know you as well.
Here is the format for the evening:
5:30 PM – Doors open and buffet dinner of salad, ziti and meatballs is available.
6:00 PM – 3rd District Congressional Candidates each give 2 minute opening remarks.
6:30 PM – 3rd District Congressional Candidates will rotate from table to table spending 5 minutes at each table. Each table will have a preassigned question for all candidates, with the balance of the time for dialogue between the candidate and the table.
7:30 PM – 3rd District Congressional Candidates each give 2 minute closing statement.
The HDCC is asking you to make a contribution towards this event of $5 per person, which will help defray the cost of the meal. SEATING IS LIMITED FOR THIS EVENT – NO MORE THAN 100 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD. See you on May 1!
Action Committee Undertakes Voter Registration and Flip the Congress
The Action Committee met on Monday, March 26, and started to plan for the 2018 elections. Doug Edison and Frank Komola are heading up a voter registration project, and Graham Schwass is heading up national efforts to flip the congress. Look for information on our website soon on how you can help get out the vote all over the United States.
The HDCC needs you! This is a call to action: we will need people to help get voters registered, and we will need people to jump on Hubdialer, write postcards, and reach out to friends and family in red states. This is an important year, and the stakes have never been higher. So when the HDCC sends out calls to action via the newsletter, email, Twitter, or Facebook — be ready!
Coming up
MEET & GREET: 3RD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES – Monday, May 7, 2018 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Maria’s Family Restaurant. Come for a pasta dinner and meet the many candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd District congressional seat being vacated by Niki Tsongas at the end of her term. Each candidate will be provided time to speak and will then stay on to have further conversation with members and guests.
News from the committees
Events committee
The Events committee continues to meet monthly and plan, organize, and hold events that educate, inform, and enlighten.
Immigration Task Force
Kathy Rurak is working on gathering info now on how we as a group can continue to support undocumented residents in our community as well as give attention to the bigger issues of Safe Communities and above all, The Dream Act.
Action committee
The Action committee will be working on voter registration, getting out the vote, and flipping the Congress for 2018.
Upcoming HDCC meetings
Action Committee: April 17 (tentative), 6:30-8:30 pm, location TBD.
The HDCC has committees that could use your ideas, help, and energy. The Events Committee (young01950@yahoo.com) is planning candidate meet and greet events. The Action Committee (chere.bemelmans@gmail.com) puts out the newsletter, maintains the new HDCC website, and is planning outreach with other Democratic city committees. Contact Kathy Rurak (jarandkas@comcast.net) for more information on the Immigration Task Force.
