A Frosty Day in May

Plymouth’s delegates attend the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention

By Frank Mand 

‘(The Convention) is a buffet table of ideas – inspiring and a great time!’ Flemming Christensen.

Traditionally, the Massachusetts Democratic Convention moves around. One year it’s In Lowell, the next year in Springfield and, this year it was in… Anchorage, Alaska?

We’re kidding, of course, but with an icy-drizzle falling and temperatures flirting with the high 30’s you couldn’t blame convention delegates from ‘southern’ Massachusetts,

delegates like those from Plymouth’s Democratic Town Committee, for feeling a little disoriented and uncomfortable as they arrived at the DCU Center in Worcester.

It was miserable outside, and that misery was compounded by the fact that the Center’s doors weren’t open when many arrived, forcing dozens of eager delegates to huddle up in the cold concrete parking garage across the street, rather than standing in the rain.

It is an honor to be here, on the 250th anniversary of our nation, though what we have learned is that this great experiment that we call ‘democracy’ is clearly not working ..

Srinivasan Mukundan

Credit where credit is due though. Despite the unseasonably cool temperatures and the nearly 2-hour travel time for most of the delegates the turnout – at least for day 2 of the convention – was remarkably high. Over 4,000 delegates made it to Worcester that day, including nearly 3 dozen from Plymouth. Remarkable too because there was only one major ‘contested’ office on the agenda for the day.

Long-time Senator Edward Markey was seeking re-election to a third, consecutive term, and was being challenged by Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton. Was this one, albeit important, office what inspired delegates to brave the cold and drive the distance? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

There’s so much negativity now, but coming here you get that positive feeling, and you find things that you can do, and you come home with great ideas and a lot of free candy…

Michelle Christensen

Listening to most of the speeches, and talking to delegates, it was apparent that many

were motivated by larger, loftier issues that one candidate – no matter how skilled –

could encompass in their candidacy. Time and time again ‘democracy, liberty, rights and freedom’ were the words used by our delegates, when asked to explain why they had made the effort to be in ‘Anchorage’ that day. There was also an acknowledgment by many delegates, that the institutions of democracy - the Constitution, the Rule of Law, the Separation of Powers – had either failed to protect them or were in jeopardy of collapse.

‘It can’t go on the way it is right now. We have to reclaim our nation!’

Christine Mellon

In less volatile times, this convention is usually more focused on the individual

competitions, the races for state positions, the battles for votes that translate into

primary elections. But on this day, at this moment, there were very few contested state-wide offices and, again, most of the convention’s attention was on the seat in the U.S. Senate presently occupied by Edward Markey.

‘It’s important to advance the cause of democrats, to address working class issues and keep our country on the right track,’

Kevin Canty

Both Markey and Moulton addressed the convention, but were given a limited amount of time for their speeches, with the threat of their microphones being turned off should they exceed that time. Moulton offered a paradoxical argument for his candidacy: first, by making a conventional argument as to his All-American background, replete with Kennedy-esque montages of his young children and supportive family – but at the same time arguing that he represented the next generation of leaders.

‘I wanted to be in a roomful of people who felt as determined as I am to change the course our country is currently on…,’

Tess Brennan

The clear suggestion was that Markey was past his prime and should move aside.

When his turn came Markey, however, gave a rousing, energetic speech that was a far

cry from what you might expect from a ‘Dozing Don’ or even a ‘Sleepy Joe’, a speech

which at first focused entirely on the MAGA world but then, at the end, landed a few,

heavy body blows on his opponent.

In the end Markey prevailed, receiving over 70% of the delegate’s endorsements. But

by receiving nearly 30% of the delegates votes Moulton has secured a place on the

primary ballot alongside Markey. When the final numbers were announced the DCU Center emptied out quickly, and delegates found the rain – and the temperatures – were still November-like.

Still many ‘mustard’ up the energy to join a dozen or so Plymouth delegates at

Westborough’s iconic restaurant, Harry’s, on Route 9, and enjoy a 50’s-style diner lunch at a converted gas station famous - since 1946 - for its pastrami sandwiches, fried clams, and classic onion rings.

‘I strongly believe in the philosophy that we need to organize, not agonize over what’s happening in the current national politics, and I think that starts here…,’

Kathryn Holmes

It was a nostalgic note to end on – a reference to what seems, from this distance – to

have been simpler times. And when the last onion ring was gone, the sun actually came out – if just for a moment.

PDTC delegates attended the Democratic State Convention May 30th 2026.