We have exciting news, John.
Leaders We Deserve is proud to announce that we are endorsing our newest incumbent challenger: Patrick Roath for US Congress in Massachusetts’ 8th Congressional District!
Patrick is running because he believes democracy should work, and that the government should once again be in the business of helping create the American Dream for everyone, not just those with power and money.
Here’s why we’re backing Patrick, John:
He’s a fighter for democracy, and has the record to prove it. As a voting rights attorney and former Chair of Common Cause Massachusetts, Patrick helped secure wins for automatic voter registration, mail-in voting, and ballot access during the pandemic when democracy itself was under threat. Patrick has taken on powerful institutions — and won — to make sure people can vote and be heard. Patrick’s commitment and experience in protecting democracy is exactly what we need more of at this time of crisis in democracy in our country.
This district is ready for new leadership, John. Patrick’s opponent, Stephen Lynch, has been in office for more than two decades, and voters are increasingly frustrated that he’s not listening or adapting as the district changes.
As a state legislator, Lynch supported a gay panic defense legislation that would have allowed someone accused of assaulting a gay person to argue that the victim’s identity or behavior provoked the attack. He also voted against an assault weapons ban and dismissed it as “feel-good legislation.” In Congress, Lynch was the only Democrat from New England to vote against the Affordable Care Act, and he’s the last Democrat left in Congress who voted against the law in 2010. And last summer, while Trump was deploying the US military to Los Angeles to crush peaceful anti-ICE protests, Stephen Lynch voted to “express gratitude” for ICE. More recently, he’s the only Democrat from Massachusetts who backed the Laken Riley Act, which expanded deportation authority based on accusations alone.
His constituents want him out, too — and they’re calling him out on his B.S. During a speech he held outside of a local VA last February, Lynch was quick to dismiss his constituents when they expressed their disappointment at him not pushing back against Trump and his agenda. He even told a voter that if they wanted to decide what was best for the district, they should run for Congress and made it clear that the decisions that are made for MA-08 are only for HIM to decide.
It’s clear that he’s completely disconnected from the people he represents, and it’s crazy to believe that this is what so many people in the Democratic establishment are trying to defend.
That’s why we’re supporting Patrick. He’s a clear contrast to Stephen; principled, prepared, and focused on delivering results — not defending outdated positions for political comfort.
We believe Patrick can win this race. But he’s going to need a lot of support.
Thank you for your support,
Leaders We Deserve
