IBEW Local 103 pledges to ‘fight like hell’ for Kennedy 

Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III was officially endorsed by the men and women of IBEW Local 103, Boston’s electricians and technicians union, during his visit to its Dorchester campus on Monday. Photo by Katie Trojano

Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III was shown the welcome mat by IBEW Local 103, Boston’s electricians and technicians union, during his visit to its Dorchester campus on Monday. “We stand here this morning to formally announce that Local 103 has officially endorsed Joe Kennedy,” said Lou Antonellis, IBEW Local 103’s business manager. “We’re going to fight like hell to make sure that he is the next US Senator for Massachusetts.”

Kennedy, a Democrat, has announced his challenge of incumbent US Sen. Ed Markey, a Democrat, for the senatorial nomination in next year’s primary. Markey was elected to the Senate in a special election in 2013 to fill out the term of Sen. John Kerry, who had been appointed US Secretary of State by President Obama. He began his congressional career in 1976 when he was elected to the US House.

Kennedy, who has experience as an assistant district attorney in the Cape and Islands DA’s office and in Middlesex County, was sent to Congress in 2102 when he won the election in the state’s 4th congressional district.

“I’m so grateful for all of your help and support this morning,” Kennedy said on Monday. “I will do everything I can to fight for you, your futures, and your families every single day that I am in office.” 

Kennedy was also given a tour of the local’s apprenticeship program Monday morning where he heard Antonellis call this year’s apprenticeship class, which currently has  400 first-year apprenticeships, “the biggest and the most diverse” that union local has ever recruited.

“I’m a strong supporter of vocational schools and apprenticeships just like this one, because they provide a pathway to middle class lifestyles,” Kennedy said. “The fight is for an economy that is not just about equity and equality but is about trying to ensure that we put families at the center. We need jobs that enable families to meet their own economic need.” 

Added Antonellis: “We need to be strategic and be thoughtful about electing leaders and sending advocates to Washington DC on our behalf. It’s time for a new wave and a new generation of leadership. We’re sick of looking at a lot of gray hair, a lot of older people. We need a younger generation of people to advocate for this generation.” 


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