Mass. Democrats Host Largest Issues Convention In Worcester

WORCESTER, MA—On Saturday, June 3, the Massachusetts Democratic Party will host its largest Issues Convention, with over 5,000 delegates, including more than 1,500 first-time delegates, at Worcester's DCU Center.

While not a nominating year, the delegates vote on the proposed 2017 Party Platform, a statement of the Party’s principals and positions, said the release. It was crafted after the Platform Committee hosted 11 public hearings across the state to facilitate dialogue and encourage input from Democrats at the local level.

The Committee was co-chaired by Former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, and Paul Feeney, the Legislative Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2222 and former Massachusetts State Director for Bernie Sanders for America.

In addition to hearing from a number of elected Democrats, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, the Convention will include key stakeholders speaking to specific parts of the proposed Platform and a celebration of the recent 100th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's birth.

A copy of the proposed Platform can be found in the Party’s Call to Convention.

Confirmed speakers include but aren’t limited to:

• Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford
• Auditor Suzanne Bump State
• Senator Harriette Chandler
• Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone
• State Representative Dan Donohue
• Paul Feeney, Co-Chair of the Platform Committee and Former State Director for Bernie Sanders
• Secretary of State William Galvin
• Treasurer Deborah Goldberg
• Jay Gonzalez, Candidate for Governor
• Attorney General Maura Healey
• Jason Kander, First Millennial Elected to Statewide Office State Representative Mary Keefe
• Steve Kerrigan, Co-Chair of the New Frontier Network
• Tyrek Lee, Massachusetts Region Executive Vice President for 1199SEIU
• Barbara Madeloni, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association
• State Representative John Mahoney
• Senator Edward Markey
• Bob Massie, Candidate for Governor
• Congressman James McGovern
• State Senator Michael Moore
• Former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy, Co-Chair of the Platform Committee
• State Representative Jim O’Day
• Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty
• Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley
• Senate President Stanley Rosenberg
• Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Co-Chair of the Platform Committee
• Steve Tolman, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO
• Senator Elizabeth Warren
• Newton Mayor Setti Warren, Candidate for Governor

Registration opens at 8 a.m., with Call to Order, speaking program, and vote on the proposed 2017 Party Platform at 10 a.m., at the DCU Center, Worcester.

Patch file photo