Martha Coakley - The Next Sen. Kennedy? | Gay Rights

Martha Coakley - The Next Sen. Kennedy?

categories: 2009 Election, Defense of Marriage Act, LGBT Rights and Politics, State LGBT News

Published September 01, 2009 @ 12:30PM PT

Martha Coakley

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley picked up nomination papers to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy. While surprisingly quick, the move places one of the state's biggest advocates for LGBT rights - and herself somewhat of a national LGBT hero for filing a federal lawsuit challenging DOMA - in the spotlight to become the 100th member of the Senate.

Coakley is the first nominee to jump into what could be a crowded field. Already, Massachusetts Reps. Edward Markey, Stephen Lynch and Michael Capuano have expressed an interest in the seat. The primary election for Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat will be held on December 8, with a general election scheduled for January 19, 2010.

In July 2009, Coakley filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In the lawsuit, Coakley said that DOMA undermined states' efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples, and "codified an animus towards gay and lesbian people."

"Our familes, our communities, and even our economy have seen the many important benefits that have come from recognizing equal marriage rights and, frankly, no downside," Coakley said when filing the lawsuit. "However, we have also seen how many of our married residents and their families are being hurt by a discriminatory, unprecedented, and, we believe, unconstitutional law."

Coakley now has to gather 10,000 signatures in the next five weeks to qualify for the ballot. Her timing is definitely soon, given that Sen. Kennedy's funeral was only four days ago. But when it comes to LGBT rights and working on behalf of LGBT constituents, she's certainly on par with the legacy of Sen. Kennedy.

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Comments (5)

Sounds like good news. But I can't even imagine how many might run, as there has been 47 years of waiting for this spot to open.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 09/01/2009 @ 01:32PM PT
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Martha Coakley would be a great Senator in Congress because she sued against the intolerant DOMA and is prominent in her support of LGBT rights. Gathering 10,000 signatures in a few days is challenging but strong people for LGBT rights are worthy of getting thousands of votes in such little time. The competition between the potential candidates for Senator is powerful, but Martha Coakley's suit against DOMA is for the greatness of equality for LGBT equality.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 09/01/2009 @ 02:04PM PT
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I hope that her campaign for the senateseat wont undermine her lawsuit against the DOMA.

Posted by Eric Smith on 09/01/2009 @ 02:21PM PT
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Good luck to her...

Posted by Scott Bailey on 09/02/2009 @ 06:49AM PT
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I wouldnt mind one bit her taking over mr. kennedy's legacy BUT if she gets the job then how will that affect the federal lawsuit ?

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/02/2009 @ 07:44PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.