Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Seth Moulton

This is one in an occasional series looking at candidates running in contested races on November 6. Today we profile Seth Moulton, who is seeking a third term as the U.S. House of Representatives for the 6th Massachusetts Congressional District. The district includes Amesbury, Beverly, Gloucester, Lynn, Newburyport, Peabody, Salem, Andover (Precincts 1, 7A, 8, and 9A), Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, North Andover, Rockport, Rowley, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, and West Newbury in Essex County and Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, North Reading, Reading, Tewksbury, Wakefield and Wilmington in Middlesex County.

SALEM, MA -- Seth Moulton has a Republican challenger in the for of 68-year-old Joseph Schneider of Beverly when he seeks a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. At home, Moulton has a different set of challenges: his wife Liz recently gave birth to Emmy, the couple's first child.

Moulton is a familiar face in local and, increasingly, national politics. The following are responses he gave to questions Patch posed to all candidates running in contested races on November 6:

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation is a lack of leadership. The American people know the challenges we face: we need to prepare our workforce for the future economy, pass common-sense gun control, provide affordable healthcare for all -- the list goes on and on. But as long as we have leaders who put personal interest before public service, we won’t be able to solve any of those problems. That’s why I’ve been fighting to elect a new generation of leaders across the country and right here at home -- leaders who will put country over party and give the American people the government they deserve.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

My opponent and I have both served our country, and though we have clear ideological differences, I believe that we share concerns about the direction of Massachusetts and the nation. But now more than ever, it’s also important to challenge the status quo in Washington -- in both parties. I’ve never been afraid to speak up when I thought my own party’s leadership wasn’t acting in the best interest of the country. I do it all the time. Mr. Schneider, however, has repeatedly punted on opportunities to speak out against this administration and demand our executive branch follow our laws and uphold our Constitutional values.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Right now, too many of us aren’t proud of our country, don’t trust our leaders, and don’t believe in where we’re headed—and with good reason. That has to change. It’s time for us to build an America where everyone has the opportunity to earn a good life, where our country is safe and strong, and where we have leaders who deserve our trust--an America we can be proud of once again.

That starts right here at home. We need to continue investing in our workforce, transportation, and infrastructure in cities like Lynn to create good-paying jobs for today and tomorrow; we need to develop career transition and education opportunities to combat the adverse effects of automation; and we need to create a sustainable, clean energy future to protect our coastline and the district’s amazing maritime industries that rely on it.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I wouldn’t have even considered running for office if it wasn’t for my experience in the Marines. As a platoon commander in Iraq, I served with guys who had different backgrounds, different religious views, and different political beliefs. But we were able to set aside those differences every day to serve our country. I’ve worked hard to bring that same work ethic to Washington, working across the aisle to help veterans, modernize our government, and spur economic growth here at home. I’m proud to have both a record and reputation of bipartisanship. But that shared sense of duty and higher purpose is severely lacking in our politics today, and that’s why I’m also working hard to help elect a new generation of leaders who know what it means to serve our country and get things done.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The best advice I ever received was from the late Reverend Peter J Gomes, my mentor and friend. I met him during college when I was trying to figure out what to do with my life, and he told me two things: 1) “Make a life, not a living,” and 2) “It’s not enough to just support those who serve -- you have to go out and do it yourself.” Those words stuck with me, and eventually inspired me to join the Marines and serve in Congress today.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe this coming election will be among the most pivotal of our lifetimes. These past two years have been a dark time in our country’s history, but we don’t have to settle for corrupt, hyper-partisan politics and leaders. Our democracy doesn’t function when it’s treated like a spectator sport, so I encourage everyone to get involved at the local, state, and national levels to make sure your voice is heard. And make sure they hear you in the ballot box on November 6th! I am a public servant––my team and I work for you. It’s a job I am proud to do, and I hope to earn your vote.

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Photo submitted by Seth Moulton. Used with permission.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).