As U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III continues his now-public debate over whether to challenge for U.S. Sen. Edward Markey’s seat in 2020, a majority of the state Legislature— including local state Reps. Andy Vargas, Linda Dean Campbell and Christina Minicucci—are backing the incumbent.
Markey announced endorsements from 116 Democratic state lawmakers on Tuesday, one day after Kennedy confirmed he’s been exploring a primary challenge and filed the fundraising paperwork necessary to launch one.
“I am humbled to have the support of so many friends and colleagues across Massachusetts for re-election, and I pledge to fight for them and all communities in the Commonwealth every day,” Markey said in a statement. “The people of Massachusetts have always been at the forefront of the challenges of our time—universal health care, same-sex marriage, earned sick time, equal rights—and I want to continue leading those fights in the United States Senate.”
The list of supporters for Markey includes both House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka, among others.
Should Kennedy decide to commit, he would take on a long-familiar face in Congress. Markey, who has not had a primary challenger in almost two decades, spent 37 years as a congressman before winning a special Senate election in 2013.