NEW: Martha Coakley to Run for Governor of Massachusetts

Monday, September 16, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Martha Coakley, Massachusetts Attorney General and failed U.S. Senate candidate, announced today that she is running for Governor of Massachusetts.

Reasons For Running

“I want to be a governor who makes sure everyone has an opportunity to succeed as our economy comes back. And that's going to take an even stronger commitment to education," Coakley said in a video released today on http://www.marthacoakley.com/

“In Massachusetts, we have the best universities and hospitals in the world,” Coakley continued. “Some of the most innovative companies, incredible beauty from the Berkshires to the Cape, but what we really have are the strongest, the toughest, the most resilient people in this nation. These folks are the reason I’m running for Governor. They need someone who will fight for them. Someone who will take their side. I’ve done that as Attorney General. And I’ll do it as Governor.”

Barnstorming Tour

In conjunction with the announcement, Coakley has embarked on a three-day barnstorming tour that will take her to over 18 cities and towns across the state. Coakley kicked off the tour on Monday morning greeting early morning diners at Dempsey’s Breakfast and Lunch in Medford.

In addition to Medford, Coakley plans to travel to Brockton, Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, and Hyannis on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday she will campaign in Newton, Framingham, Worcester, Springfield, Pittsfield, North Adams, Boston, Lowell, Lawrence, Newburyport, Gloucester, and Salem among other stops.

Credentials

A native of Berkshire County, Coakley was a distinguished prosecutor before serving as Middlesex District Attorney and now as the Commonwealth’s first female Attorney General. During his time serving the Commonwealth, Coakley became the first Attorney General to successfully challenge the Defense of Marriage Act.

Coakley has also tackled fraud and corruption, championed major initiatives to address the costs of health care and energy, and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars back for the Commonwealth's taxpayers.

The Rest of the Field

Coakley joins a crowded Democratic field that already includes Treasurer Steven Grossman; former Obama Medicare chief Donald Berwick; Wellesley biotech executive Joseph Avellone; national security expert and former columnist Juliette Kayyem; and Cape Cod Sen. Daniel Wolf, who suspended his campaign last month over a conflict-of-interest case that could prohibit him from running. Other candidates include Republican Charles Baker, who is running for governor for a second time, and former attorney Evan Falchuk, who is running as an Independent.

Incumbent Governor Deval Patrick has announced he will not seek a third-term as Governor.

In 2010, Coakley suffered a tough loss to Scott Brown in the race for U.S. Senate following the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, which cost Democrats a significant seat in Congress.