Skip to content

Capuano Invokes Kennedy in First Senate TV Ad

In the first television advertisement of the Massachusetts Senate special election, Rep. Mike Capuano (D) likens his political beliefs to those of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D).

“Only one candidate stood with Ted Kennedy against Bush’s Iraq War, and mirrors his progressive record,— an announcer says in the opening lines of the spot, which goes on to list the Congressman’s liberal positions on several hot-button social issues.

Capuano is scheduled to formally kick off his campaign on Friday, joining several Democrats in the Dec. 8 special election primary.

Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca (D), who announced his candidacy Thursday morning, will reportedly also hit the airwaves in the next few days with his own TV ad blitz. State Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) announced her campaign two weeks ago, plus City Year co-founder Alan Khazei is circulating petitions for his bid.

Recent public polling showed Coakley with a strong lead over the other Democrats, but she enters the race with virtually no campaign balance. Capuano had $1.2 million in the bank at the end of June, giving him a big advantage and the ability to hit the airwaves early and raise his name identification in the Bay State.

The 30-second ad titled “One Candidate— was produced by Michael Shea of Shea and Associates and, according to the campaign, is similar to one of Capuano’s ads that ran in his first bid for Congress in 1998.

Meanwhile, state legislators in Massachusetts are currently debating a bill that would allow Gov. Deval Patrick (D) to appoint a temporary placeholder to fill the Senate vacancy until the Jan. 19 special election.

Recent Stories

Photos of the week ending February 14, 2025

GOP budget framework gets over initial hurdle in House

Takeaways: White House visit by India’s Modi becomes mini trade summit

Republicans defend USAID in hearing meant to criticize waste

At the Races: Talkin’ ’bout a Resolution

McMahon says Trump’s plan to close Education Department would need Congress’ approval