BOSTON — State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz today endorsed Ed Markey for re-election to the United States Senate.

Her backing builds on Senator Ed Markey’s overwhelming support among local progressive leaders and organizations, including: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, State Representatives Dan Cullinane, Nika Elugardo, Russell Holmes, Kevin Honan, Daniel Hunt, Jay Livingstone, Adrian Madaro, Liz Malia, Liz Miranda, Michael Moran and Daniel Ryan, Boston City Councilors Kenzie Bok, Annissa Essaibi-George, Ricardo Arroyo and Liz Breadon, Suffolk County Register of Probate Felix D. Arroyo, the Boston Wards 4, 5, and 10 Democratic Committees, and Jamaica Plain Progressives.

“I’m proud to support Senator Markey for re-election because he has never let the Massachusetts’ Latinx community fight alone,” State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz said. “He has shown time and time again that he is a champion for justice–from standing up against police brutality and holding our law enforcement accountable, to fighting for clean air and water for our most vulnerable communities, to protecting our Dreamers and fighting for a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million immigrants. It’s crucial that we keep Ed Markey in the Senate because when we vote for him, we aren’t just voting for an incredible advocate and candidate, we are voting to ensure that the Latinx community is heard and protected.”

Senator Chang-Díaz, the first Latina elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, is serving in her fifth term on behalf of the Second Suffolk District. She is a leading advocate for criminal justice reform, education equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.

“Sonia Chang-Díaz is a powerful progressive voice who successfully fought to reform our state’s Criminal Offender Record Information system, helped secure billions of dollars to improve equity in public education, and was essential to passing civil rights protection for transgender people in Massachusetts,” said Senator Ed Markey. “She’s a dedicated public servant and I’m honored to have her support in this election.”

The continued addition of new endorsements—with less than six weeks until early voting begins—shows that voters are responding to Senator Ed Markey’s re-election message proving he’s a progressive leader with the track record and bold ideas.

Senator Ed Markey recently introduced the Ending Qualified Immunity Act to hold police officers accountable for misconduct. He’s fought to end policies that harm communities of color such as mandatory minimums, zero-tolerance policies, and the criminalization of poverty, homelessness, and mental illness.

Ed Markey recognizes criminal justice reform also means re-investing in community services. In a recent question and answer session at the Suffolk County House of Correction, the Senator emphasized that “what we have to do is make sure we provide the treatment, the access for…people…before they do something that results in the police taking them, incarcerating them, for something that needs treatment,” and that “we have ignored the reality of the fact our mental health system does not work.”

Senator Chang-Díaz is fighting for similar criminal justice reform efforts within the Massachusetts Senate: She’s a lead sponsor of The Justice Reinvestment Act, which would end mandatory minimums, create a medical parole program, and use subsequent savings to invest in community education and workforce development programs. Her legislation passed the State Senate this past week, and is now up for debate in the State House.

Senator Markey has served in the United States Senate since winning the special election in 2013 and has amassed a deep record on environmental, climate, gun safety, and consumer protection issues. He co-authored the Green New Deal, and his leadership has led to legislation to address the humanitarian crisis on the southern border, protect LGBTQI rights, and ensure that Donald Trump cannot launch a nuclear first strike without Congressional approval. Raised in Malden, Ed Markey has always stood up for the priorities of Massachusetts.

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