A Shake-Up in Massachusetts Politics

The political scene in Massachusetts is heating up. Seth Moulton, a representative from Salem, has thrown his hat into the ring for the U. S. Senate, challenging incumbent Ed Markey. This move has set off alarm bells among the progressive faction, particularly for Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. She's at a crossroads: does she join the race or stay on the sidelines? Her team hasn't responded to requests for comment, leaving everyone guessing. Markey, at 79, is no pushover. He's been in the game long enough to know how to handle challenges. But Moulton, at 46, is ready to make age an issue. Pressley, at 51, doesn't have that problem, but she can't afford to wait too long if she wants to run. On the Republican side, Nathan Bech is running but probably won't make a big splash. John Deaton, however, could be a different story. He might actually give the Democrats a run for their money. Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden is coming to town to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. He's been busy fighting an aggressive form of prostate cancer while dealing with criticism from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who's been promoting her new book. In other news, the Irish Cultural Center of Greater Boston honored Jack Connors posthumously for his generosity. Connors was a well-known figure in Boston, known for his philanthropy, especially his work with Camp Harbor View, which gave inner-city kids a chance to enjoy the seaside. Lastly, Dan Koh, former chief of staff to Marty Walsh, is running for Congress again. He's aiming for the 6th Congressional District, which is opening up because Moulton is running for Senate. Koh lost a close race in 2018 but is back for another try. Jamie Belsito, a former state representative, is also running for the same seat, promising to fight for human rights and universal healthcare.