Vowing to Fix Washington, District Attorney Bill Keating Launches Congressional Campaign

Says he will work tirelessly to create jobs and put Americans back to work

(QUINCY, MA)– Standing before a crowd of more than 350 supporters from communities throughout the 10th Congressional District, Democratic candidate Bill Keating (D-Quincy) officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Congress on Sunday, May 23. Vowing to be the Congressman who will work tirelessly “to fix what’s broken in Washington,” Keating said that, if he is elected to Congress, he will make sure government is responsive to the real-life issues that families confront each day.

“Too many families are suffering and millions of people are out of work while Washington plays political games,” he said. “With your help, I’ll work to get our economy turned around, put people back to work, and help deliver the results that Massachusetts families need from Congress.”

“But we cannot move forward without moving forward into jobs. Jobs for those hurt by the economic problems caused when government said no to even the most common-sense regulation of banks on Wall Street and the mortgage brokers that popped up on every street.”

Keating began the day in Bourne where he met with a large group of supporters at the Daily Brew Coffee House. Following that, Keating made a stop in Marshfield, where Selectman Patricia Reilly, other town officials and neighbors met in the Fieldston neighborhood to view a section of crumbling seawall that resulted in the town declaring a state of emergency earlier this week. “We appreciate the fact that Bill took the time to come out and look at the major seawall breach that is threatening this neighborhood and offer his help,” Reilly said. “That’s exactly what Washington needs – someone who will roll up his sleeves and work hard to get the results our families deserve.”

Following his visit to Marshfield, Keating met with voters at The Omelet Factory in Pembroke, where he has already won the endorsement of the Democratic Town Committee, and then traveled to Weymouth where he greeted supporters at Easter’s Country Kitchen. His last stop of the day was his campaign rally at the Germantown Neighborhood Center in Quincy.

Sunday’s campaign rally featured three people who shared personal stories of how Keating had helped them. Joanne Peterson talked about her organization, Learn to Cope, which she founded to help parents like her who are dealing with a family member’s drug addiction. “I tell parents of kids fighting addiction that they are not alone. We are in this together. And with Bill’s constant guidance and support, I have certainly never felt alone,” she said. Veterans advocate Larry Norton of Quincy spoke about how Keating, whose late father served as Veterans Agent in the town of Sharon, secured funding for programs to help returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Kenny Francis, who grew up in the Germantown section of Quincy, recalled that Keating has been a longtime supporter of the center, sponsoring countless programs to provide direct support to the children and families of the neighborhood. “If it weren’t for that center and the programs they provided to me and my family, I would not be the man I am today,” Francis said. “Bill Keating has always fought for this community and for this neighborhood center. And today, families throughout Quincy are helped by the programs and services it continues to offer.”

Keating’s former State Senate colleague, Warren Tolman, recalled Keating’s anger when public debate on important issues was prohibited by the then-senate president and backdoor deals were the order of the day. Keating was so opposed to the way government was run that he challenged an entrenched and powerful senate president from his own political party. Keating, he explained, knew that his challenge might not be successful, but he would not be deterred, because Keating has always believed that people deserve an open, inclusive and transparent government. “Bill Keating still believes in those same principles. He is a man of great integrity, with a proven track record of standing up for people. That is what he will do for the people of the 10th Congressional District,” Tolman said.

“I am today declaring my candidacy to be the United States Representative from the 10th Congressional District of Massachusetts. I have taken on tough fights before.” Keating said. “I am dedicating the next chapter of my life to bringing another voice for progress and pragmatism to Washington.”

###
Paid for by the Bill Keating Committee