The TicketMarkey calls for outside money ban in Massachusetts U.S. Senate race
Democratic Rep. Ed Markey on Monday called on fellow prospective candidates for the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race to ban outside spending in the special election—continuing a precedent set by Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren in 2012.
From Markey's statement:
I am challenging all of the candidates—Democrats and Republicans—in this special election for the United States Senate to join me in committing to the people’s pledge upon entering this race. If all the candidates agree, we can give the voters the kind of debate they deserve. This election should be a forum for the voices of everyday voters, not attacks from Karl Rove and other outside special interests. This election should be focused on big issues and ideas, not big-money outside groups. I urge all candidates to join me in ensuring that Massachusetts once again will be the leader for the nation on this issue.
The "People's Pledge" was introduced by Brown and agreed to by Warren, who won the seat, in the 2012 Massachusetts U.S. Senate campaign. The ban effectively silenced super PACs, special interest groups and even the national parties, avoiding the "vitriol" (in Markey's words) that was injected into races countrywide by third-party groups.
Markey has announced his candidacy for the special election race that will be called if Democratic Sen. John Kerry is confirmed by the Senate as secretary of state, which is expected, and resigns his seat in the Senate.
The Boston Globe reported Monday that Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin has decided to schedule the special election for June 25, following an April 30 primary.
