News

The Patriot Ledger, OPINION

3 November 2006

OUR VIEW: Delahunt and Lynch for Congress

Local races for Congress have not received much notice because of overwhelming attention paid to the gubernatorial contest. Also, it is hard to overcome the power of incumbency.

In the 10th Congressional district, running from Quincy to Provincetown and out to the islands, William Delahunt is after his sixth term. Delahunt has spent his adult life in one public role after another tending to the concerns of Norfolk County and the South Shore. He does well what constituents expect from their representative: Making sure that local economic and social interests are not lost in the huge shuffle of the federal government.

Delahunt keeps a close eye on transportation and tourism issues that are important to this region. He cites a recent effort to increase the number of international tourists visiting southeastern Massachusetts. Energy projects - developing alternative fuel sources - also are high on Delahunt’s agenda.

The incumbent has two opponents, Republican Jeff Beatty and Independent Peter White, who have challenged Delahunt as being either too soft on the Bush administration or not sufficiently informed on terror issues.

Beatty, who runs his own company selling anti-terror training and equipment, caused a big stir in the final weeks of the campaign by criticizing Delahunt for labeling himself a veteran on the primary ballot when he had not served in combat, as Beatty had. The charge was flimsy, considering that Delahunt was a Coast Guard reservist for eight years and has a strong record on veterans’ issues, most notably opening the first outpatient clinic for veterans on Cape Cod.

Congressman Stephen Lynch of South Boston, whose district includes Braintree, Brockton, Canton, Holbrook, Milton, Randolph, Stoughton, Whitman and two precincts in Hanson, faced a challenger in the Democratic party and is opposed by Republican Jack E. Robinson on the Tuesday ballot. Lynch keeps a relatively low profile while working hard on bread-and-butter issues that are important to local communities. He speaks often on the Iraq war and has visited the war zone five times.

A supporter of the resolution authorizing force in Iraq, Lynch has become more informed about the situation in Iraq over time. Several months ago he proposed a bipartisan commission as a way to unlock the debate in Washington over what the U.S. commitment should be.

Lynch has demonstrated both dedication and growth in the job. Robinson, who moved to Brockton a couple months ago to run for Lynch’s seat, has become a job shopper under the Republican label. It is hard to take his candidacy seriously. The Patriot Ledger endorses Delahunt and Lynch for re-election.

Massachusetts is fortunate to have a group of hard-working representatives in Washington, all Democrats. Nonetheless, it’s unfortunate that the state’s moribund Republican party puts so little effort into recruiting and supporting challengers. A robust democracy works best when there is competition, especially for the important job of member of Congress.