Mass. Dem Convention Will Be Canceled, Markey And Kennedy To Be On Ballot

The head of the Massachusetts Democratic Party plans to cancel this year's state convention due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The party's committee will vote Saturday on the measure proposed by party chair Gus Bickford. The convention was originally scheduled for May 30.

Once approved by the party's committee, Bickford says incumbent Sen. Ed Markey will be declared the winner against challenger Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Both campaigns have agreed that Markey would win the convention and Kennedy would reach the 15% threshold needed to get on the ballot.

Bickford says he would then send a letter to the secretary of state requesting that both names appear on the Senate primary ballot in September.

In a statement, Bickford calls the move "the right thing to do."

"Our duty to protect one another, to protect our friends, family, neighbors and strangers, requires that we all make changes to the way we live," he said. "While these changes require that we not hold a convention this year, they do not mean that Democratic activism has slowed. I am heartened by the creative ways Democratic campaigns and activists have adapted their strategies and the ways in which they continue to push our Democratic message, reach out to Massachusetts voters, and provide comfort during this uncertain time."