About Martha Coakley
A stellar record
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is a determined and persuasive advocate for the citizens of Massachusetts -- particularly for women, children and working families. She first came to national prominence when she prosecuted the famous Louise Woodward case, involving an au pair accused of shaking a baby to death. She then later became a Middlesex County district attorney, prosecuting high-profile cases of physical and sexual abuse. In 2006, Martha became the state's first woman attorney general, fighting for buffer zones around reproductive health facilities to protect patients and staff members, protecting families facing foreclosure, battling cyber-crime, and using her power and legal skills to protect women's reproductive freedom. Martha is exactly the candidate Massachusetts needs in the Senate, but with the January 19 election just days away, polls show a tightening race -- and Martha's going to need urgent help to win.
A historic opportunity for women
This battle is the first open-seat Senate election in Massachusetts since 1984 -- and it presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elect the first woman senator from Massachusetts. The December 8 primary made one thing clear: Coakley is the best candidate to assume Senator Kennedy's mantle. Coakley is already a trailblazer in Massachusetts, serving as the state's first female attorney general, and she is poised to make history again. But the GOP is determined to stop her -- and break the Democrats' 60-seat majority -- at any cost. Recent polls show Martha's GOP opponent -- state Sen. Scott Brown -- closing in, and Republicans are fired up about the chance to steal this seat away. They're willing to do whatever it takes to make gains, and there's no doubt this will be a competitive race to the finish line.
GOP on the attack
The GOP is giddy at the prospect of taking over Senator Kennedy's seat, and they're counting on low voter turnout in this special election to do just that. With election day right around the corner, right-wing forces are working against Martha. Republicans are pulling out all the stops -- including recent cash infusions, massive independent expenditures and lies and distortions -- to rip this seat from Democratic control. Right-wing special interests, including the Club for Growth and Chamber of Commerce are contacting stations to place their ads attacking Martha. If the GOP manages to win this seat, the Democrats will lose control of the Senate and fall to only 59 members, which would effectively put an end to health care reform. Martha is counting on EMILY's List members in these crucial final days to bring in $500,000 to help her win.
