ATHOL — Members of the Athol Democratic Town Committee caucused virtually Saturday morning, March 5, to pick delegates and alternates to the party’s state convention in June.
Mitch Grosky, Scott MacPhee, Mare Hawthorne and Deb Biechele were elected to represent Athol Democrats at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention, which takes place June 3 and 4. Alternates chosen were Max MacPhee and Joanie MacPhee.
Candidates for various statewide office provided recorded messages to the caucus or had a representative speak on their behalf. Candidates who garner the support of at least 15 percent of convention attendees will have their names appear on the Sept. 6 Democratic primary ballot.
Candidates who provided videos included gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz; state Sen. Eric Lesser, state Sen. Adam Hinds, state Rep. Tami Gouveia, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, and businessman Bret Bero, former owner of ECHO Industries in Orange, all of whom are running for Lieutenant Governor; attorney and NAACP Boston president Tanisha Sullivan and incumbent Bill Galvin, candidates for Secretary of State; and, transportation advocate Chris Dempsey and state Sen. Diana DiZoglio, who are running for state Auditor.
Former state Rep. Denise Andrews spoke on behalf of Attorney Maura Healey, who is running for governor, as well as on behalf of attorney general candidate Quentin Palfrey, Deputy General Counsel at the United States Department of Commerce.
Union organizer Matt Szuborki pitched the candidacy of labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordon, who is running for Attorney General.
“Never have our voices been more important,” said Grosky, “because never have the choices in our state and in our country been more stark and more significant. Our state and country will, in the years ahead, consider issues related to our election process, respect and access for people of all backgrounds, access to advanced educational opportunities, support for families in need, employment opportunities for all, health care, lower prescription costs, and so many other important issues.”
Mare Hawthorn followed, saying, “I am a Democrat for many reasons, but one of them is Republicans do not speak for me as a woman. Through the years I have voted Democrat and I need to stand with a group of like-minded people on the issues. I’m very alarmed at the direction our country is taking and has been taking for a while. There is a steep turn in this world toward authoritarianism.”
Deb Biechele will be attending her first convention.
“I feel like I need to do everything in my power to support the success of the Democratic Party,” she said. “This is one more thing I can do — to be more active in the process of finding candidates and getting those candidates elected. This is a new experience to me. On one hand I’m a little anxious, but on the other hand it’s really exciting to think about going to a convention and participating in it.”
Scott MacPhee said he looks forward to meeting other convention delegates and discussing strategies for getting Democrats elected in the face of “the new wave of fascism in our country.”
“I don’t have a strong feeling for most of the candidates yet, but I hope to hear from all the candidates in person and talk to them.”
Prior to the start of the caucus, committee Chair Margot Parrot asked for a moment of silence to remember the Ukranians who are fighting against Russia’s unprovoked invasion of their country.
“They’re fighting for their own democracy,” said Parrot, “and we gather here today to fight for our own democracy. It’s really important for us not to take this for granted.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com