April 8, 2022 — Today, Tanisha Sullivan announced that she has received the support of leading elected officials in Springfield and Holyoke in her race for Secretary of State. Sullivan announced the backing of:
- Bud Williams, State Representative, 11th Hampden District;
- Justin Hurst, Springfield City Councilor At-Large;
- Jesse Lederman, Springfield City Councilor At-Large;
- Tracye Whitfield, Springfield City Councilor At-Large;
- Melvin Edwards, Ward 3 Springfield City Councilor;
- Denise M. Hurst, Springfield School Committee Member;
- LaTonia Monroe Naylor, Springfield School Committee Member;
- Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Holyoke City Councilor At-Large;
- Israel Rivera, Holyoke City Councilor At-Large;
“I am humbled to have the support of these driven, impactful leaders,” said Sullivan. “As we continue to grow our campaign, I’m excited to work together to engage voters throughout Springfield, Holyoke, and all of Hampden County – to ensure their voices are at the table as we reimagine a more engaged, proactive Secretary of State’s office that fights to advance voting rights, works to foster civic participation, and seeks to expand economic opportunity for all.”
“I know Tanisha Sullivan will be the courageous leader that the residents of the 11th Hampden District, and our entire community, deserve in the Secretary of State’s office,” said Representative Williams. “Tanisha has a long and effective track record as an attorney and a civil rights leader, and she’ll bring the entirety of that experience to make the Secretary of State’s office more proactive, more inclusive, and more accountable.”
”I’m so proud to endorse Tanisha Sullivan for Secretary of State,” said Councilor Hurst. “Tanisha is a fearless advocate and champion for our communities. She is committed to working with communities like Springfield to make the Secretary of State’s office a more powerful, inclusive force for transparency, accountability, and opportunity in our Commonwealth, and I’m so excited to partner with her in that work.”
”Tanisha has a long track record of fighting for equity and justice as a civil rights advocate, an attorney, and a champion for our communities, and she will make a tremendous Secretary of State,” said Councilor Lederman. “Especially now, when we need leaders rooted in community working to address persistent gaps in civic engagement, economic opportunity, and more, Tanisha is uniquely prepared to transform the Secretary of State’s office into a powerful force for a more equitable, representative democracy.”
“I believe Attorney Tanisha Sullivan will redefine the Secretary of State Office to ensure access to services and information is equitable to all,” said Councilor Whitfield. “Massachusetts needs a proven leader that believes that direct contact with the constituents is the way to generate fresh new ideas to move this office forward. I haven’t known Tanisha long, but from what I have seen so far in this race, she is the exact change we need for this office and Massachusetts future advancements. I fully support and endorse Attorney Tanisha Sullivan!”
“Tanisha Sullivan has integrity and the moral foundation that gives me confidence that she is the right person to be our next Secretary of State,” said Councilor Edwards.
”I’m committed to bringing more voices to the table and expanding opportunity for everyone in Springfield,” said School Committee Member Hurst, “and I know Tanisha shares that vision. I believe there is much more the Secretary of State’s office can do, at a community level, to strengthen voting rights and access, create economic opportunity, and engage more people in our democracy, including more young people. Tanisha is the best person to lead that work in Massachusetts, and I’m excited to endorse her campaign.”
“I believe in the work that Tanisha does because she has proven to be a thoughtful, caring, knowledgeable, and competent professional. She understands the intricacies of this office, and has the wherewithal to operate it at the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness for the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said School Committee Member Naylor.
“I’m proud to know Tanisha Sullivan personally and professionally and believe that she is the breath of fresh air that our Commonwealth needs,” said Councilor Murphy-Romboletti. “I’m excited to support Tanisha in her bid for Secretary of State because I’ve seen her commitment to transparency and equity come through her work as an attorney and advocate. Her leadership will ensure that the needs of all Massachusetts voters are considered, no matter how far we are away from Boston.”
In addition to leaders in Springfield and Holyoke, Sullivan has also been endorsed by Collective PAC; UNITE HERE Local 26; Boston elected leaders including State Representative Russell Holmes, State Representative Nika Elugardo, State Representative Liz Miranda, Boston City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia, Boston City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune, District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, District 6 City Councilor Kendra Lara, and District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson; and national democracy advocate and former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen.
About Tanisha Sullivan
Tanisha is an attorney, former Chief Equity Officer in the Boston Public Schools and President of the NAACP Boston, who has led a career dedicated to service—from working in community and across the ideological spectrum to deliver on civil rights and social, economic, and racial justice, to decades as a practicing lawyer in corporate firms and life science companies. A Brockton native, she’s running for Massachusetts Secretary of State because it’s time to realize the full potential of this office in the fight to protect voting rights, increase government transparency and accessibility, engage the electorate, and build a stronger, more vibrant democracy for all.
Learn more about Tanisha and her campaign at www.TanishaSullivan.com and @Tanisha4MA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.