The Fact That Michael Cahillane, a Candidate for Northwestern Massachusetts District Attorney, Signed The Petition to Allow Voters to Decide Whether or Not to End Marriage Equality, Helped to End His Own Chances To Become District Attorney
According to The Republican which posted political strategist, Anthony Cignoli's comprehensive post-primary analysis of the Northwestern Massachusetts DA's race, Michael Cahillane's signature on the anti-gay petition of 2005 "became a major issue in that neck of the woods," one that "people will look at down the road" and further referring to this exposure late in a campaign as "political science 101." I am assuming that Cignoli is referring to the Democratic base and LGBT-based/progressive towns such as Hadley, Amherst, Northampton etc. as taking Michael Cahillane's and his wife's signatures on the anti-marriage equality petition and his subsequent reaction to KnowThyNeighbor's reporting on this as a serious consideration when voting. Dave Sullivan, Cahillane's opponent won on a large margin.
As a point of clarification here, KnowThyNeighbor.org had no horse in this race. We were not being pushed by the Dave Sullivan campaign as some commenters on the BayWindows article would like to suggest. KnowThyNeighbor was contacted by a Northwestern Massachusetts voter who was MassEquality's former area leader. KTN went to MassEquality and the MGLPC and asked if either organization would play a role in educating Northwestern Massachusetts LGBT and allies about this race between Cahillane and Sullivan and provide our community with an endorsement. Neither MEQ or MGLPC wanted to get involved. It was important for KnowThyNeighbor to inform the press about the appearance of Cahillane's signature and to contact BayWindows which was key in getting the facts out in providing LGBT with well- balanced interviews of both candidates.
KnowThyNeighbor's work in providing an historic account of anti-gay petitions on a national level is clearly not only creating dialogue but is effecting key races as we have seen here in Massachusetts. It is understandable that the foes of equality would want to silence us.
Director's Note: I am very proud of LGBT people and others who believe in equality for all Americans who run through KnowThyNeighbor's lists, decide from whom they will purchase goods and services, have the necessary conversations with signers that they know. And I am very proud of those LGBT who contact me when they see signers who are running for Local, State and Federal office. These public candidates owe each and every one of us an explanation for their actions.
Tom Lang, Director
Primary Analysis: Anthony Cignoli on the results of the Northwestern District Attorney race |