TAUNTON — Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders, City Councilor Phil Duarte, and School Committee Member Josephine Almeida today announced their endorsement of Ed Markey for United States Senate.

“This election, we need to fight harder than ever before for Massachusetts’s progressive values. I am incredibly grateful and honored to have earned the endorsement of these progressive champions, and look forward to continuing the fight for those values alongside them,” said Ed Markey. “I have led and delivered on the issues that matter the most to the South Coast, and Sanders, Duarte, Almeida, and I will continue to work together towards those goals.”

“As a social worker and the family member of someone in long term recovery, I have witnessed the tremendous toll that substance use exacts from its victims and their families. Stigma and punitive drug laws have made helping people access treatment even more difficult. Senator Ed Markey pledged his support on this issue and soon after filed the Opioid Overdose Reduction Act,” said City Council President Barry Sanders. “Ed has continued to work to expand access to treatment, improve health outcomes, and to deliver needed resources. Ed stood with us then and has worked with us every day since. That is why I stand with Senator Ed Markey today and endorse his re-election to the United States Senate. Our community needs strong, visionary leaders, like Senator Markey. I urge all Massachusetts voters to vote Ed Markey for US Senate in the primary on September 1st and in the general election on November 3rd.” Sanders said.

Barry Sanders is a social worker and the Taunton City Council President. He is the Chair of Elder Affairs & Human Services and Public Health & Environmental Affairs subcommittees, and a founding member of the Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force and Taunton Opens Doors to Recovery.

“As a co-founder of Sustainable Taunton, I understand just how important it is that we re-elect a climate champion to the United States Senate. In addition to leading on climate, Senator Markey has a proven track record of standing up for the most vulnerable people in our communities,” said City Councilor Phil Duarte. “He personally came to Taunton to help begin to address the opioid epidemic before the issue became prevalent in the everyday work of elected officials. Senator Markey has been a strong voice for working families during the COVID-19 pandemic and his advocacy will be essential to the nation’s continued recovery from the virus. I proudly support Ed Markey because he is focused on creating a better future for us, our children, and our communities.”

Phillip Duarte is the son of Portuguese immigrants and currently serves as the Chair of the Taunton Pathways Committee. Duarte was extensively involved in the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan process. In addition, he served on the Advisory Committee for the Downtown Taunton Plan.

“Senator Markey has been a great supporter of education and I respect his working-class background. He has delivered for Taunton and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that is why I’m proud to endorse him for US Senate” said School Committee Member Josephine Almeida.

Josephine Almeida is a Taunton School Committee Member and retired controller.

This past January, Senator Ed Markey and congressional colleagues announced a grant for the Taunton Housing Authority. The funding was awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, which helps residents develop educationally and professionally.

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 LGBTQ+ 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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