Contact: Cyndi Roy
Massachusetts Democratic Party
617-776-2676
BOSTON—Sunday, October 1, 2006 - Democratic lawmakers today called on Kerry Healey to pull down a deceptive campaign ad featuring lawmakers at a Statehouse bill signing.
The ad gives Healey undue credit for the passage of the bill and falsely portrays legislators including Senator Steven Baddour, Representative Eugene O'Flaherty Representative Peter Koutoujian, Representative James Vallee, and Representative Thomas Golden as supportive of her campaign for governor. The lawmakers support her opponent, Deval Patrick.
The group also sent a letter Sunday to the television stations running Healey's ad requesting that they take it down.
"I am disappointed that Kerry Healey would intentionally distort my role in the bill signing. I am deeply troubled that the voters of this state are being lead to believe that I am supporting her for Governor," said Senator Baddour. "I am 100% behind Deval Patrick for Governor ."
Footage for Healey's ad was taken from a press conference on September 21, 2006, when Healey signed legislation passed by the legislature that toughens penalties for sex offenders and extends the statue of limitations for victims of sexual abuse. Deval Patrick supports the bill.
“I showed up at a press conference to support an important bipartisan piece of legislation. It was not an endorsement of Kerry Healey,” said Representative O'Flaherty (D-Chelsea). “I support Deval Patrick for governor and I am working with many others to ensure he wins this election.”
Representative Peter Koutoujian said “I am supporting Deval Patrick because I know that he will be a strong leader who will be both tough and smart on crime. I am surprised by Kerry Healey and let down that she would use our work on this law to unjustly promote her candidacy.”
STATEMENT FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY DANIEL F. CONLEY
Last week, at a public event where a bill aimed at combating sexual predators was signed into law, I shared credit for its passage with Democrats and Republicans, elected officials and private citizens alike. Giving credit where it is due is only right and I stand by my public statement.
I was not asked, advised or foretold that the statements I made at this public event would be used in a campaign commercial. As District Attorney I believe that the average voter expects me to do my job professionally and to remain as free of other people's politics as possible. As a Democrat, throughout the primary campaign for Governor, whenever I was asked, I stated consistently that I liked and respected all of the candidates and would support my party's nominee. Deval Patrick is our nominee and he has my support.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley |
