Seven years ago, a 41-year incumbent congressman was running for Senate in Massachusetts. He forcefully spoke out against dark money and denounced outside spending by Super PACs:

“Political pollution” he called it.

That Congressman was Ed Markey, trying to win his Senate seat.

Now he’s trying to hold onto it, and what is he doing? A classic political flip-flop, reversing his past position and embracing the entrance of a Super PAC into our race.

Why? Because he is afraid of what we have built. This is the latest in a series of desperate tactics by his campaign. First, the frantic emails claiming I am trying to “buy this seat.” Then, angry childish Twitter attacks with flat-out lies about my record. Now, embracing a Super PAC.

Since the start of this campaign, I’ve asked the Senator to sign a “People’s Pledge” with me – a promise that neither of us will accept Super PACs or other outside, dark money in this election. Because we’re Democrats – and if we don’t walk the walk on campaign finance, who will?

Ed Markey ran on this pledge in 2013. But last week he welcomed a super PAC spending $200,000 online to prop up his campaign.

$200,000 in undisclosed dollars flooding into Massachusetts.

And he probably won’t stop there. That’s why today I’m asking for your help. We need to match his dark money with our grassroots support. Can you pitch in to help us stand up to dark money and super PACs? 

We won’t enact progressive change if our leaders compromise their values every election cycle.

Let’s demand better from the people we elect to represent us.

Grateful for the support,

– Joe