Calling U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-Somerville) “one of the strongest champions for working people and urban communities in all of America,” Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh endorsed Capuano for re-election in Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District on Sunday in Dorchester.
“Mike’s record is strong and continues to grow stronger. He’s a progressive champion who never stops fighting for what’s fair and what’s right. He’s the leader and fighter Boston needs in Washington,” Mayor Walsh wrote his supporters in an email endorsing Rep. Capuano.
“As Mayor of Boston, I’m not about to give that up. Not by a long shot,” Mayor Walsh wrote, citing Rep. Capuano’s record expanding affordable housing, improving and increasing accessibility to mass transit, helping to create jobs and opportunity, and protect the rights of immigrants and people of color.
“Mike has always stood with communities of color and immigrants. He wrote one of the first Sanctuary Cities ordinances in the country as a city leader in Somerville and is one of the biggest supporters of the Dream Act in Congress,” wrote Mayor Walsh.
“I am honored to have Mayor Walsh’s support and to work with him for the people of Boston,” said Rep. Capuano. “It’s more important than ever to keep fighting to level the playing field so everyone has an opportunity to succeed. Mayor Walsh and I are standing up against Donald Trump’s bigotry and destructive policies to protect the rights and expand opportunities for all.”
“That’s my record,” said Rep. Capuano, “And I’m not ready to give up that fight.”
In his endorsement, Mayor Walsh highlighted Rep. Capuano’s accomplishments that are making a difference in Boston, including:
- Securing a $30 million grant to completely rebuild the Whittier Street housing development in Roxbury, increasing the number of affordable units and giving every existing low-income tenant a new apartment;
- Championing the Fairmount Line to improve service for Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Hyde Park. Capuano even donated $53,000 of his own campaign funds to make the line free for two weeks;
- Securing $20 million to rebuild Ruggles Station in Roxbury;
- Helping secure more medical research funding for Boston than any other city in the country, helping Boston’s hospitals and health centers continue to provide good jobs across the city;
- Securing $350 million to ready Boston Harbor for a bigger share of the shipping industry, with more good-paying jobs that can support families;
Mayor Walsh and Congress-man Capuano made the endorsement official on Sunday, April 22. They began the day as honorary chairs of the 24th annual Greek Independence Day Parade, cutting the ribbon to start the procession.