Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE)

In order to achieve our Chapter's Mission, we endorse candidates that support social work values, professional mission, and NASW-MA-endorsed legislation.

NASW-MA PACE, the political action arm of NASW-MA, endorses candidates seeking political office in Massachusetts at the local and state level. MA PACE  is a separate entity from the NASW-MA Chapter. Please note that we are only involved in local races if a social worker is running.

PACE-MA endorses candidates that support our Legislative Agenda and social work values, and supports endorsed candidates by providing them with financial or in-kind support. We also make formal endorsements of ballot initiatives and concept campaigns or initiatives. PACE-MA is on the board of the Mass Alliance, an organization which is made up of 27 statewide agencies working together to elect progressive candidates.

Help us support our endorsed candidates by making a donation to PACE-MA! 
                                       Donate to PACE

2024 Endorsements

Big shout out to all our endorsed candidates who ran in the September primary! While not all of them were successful, we commend them for running! 

Make your Plan to Vote in the General election on or before November 5th! 

Social Worker, Becky Coletta, State Representative, 6th Plymouth- Vote November 5th! 

Leigh Davis, State Representative, 3rd Berkshire- Vote November 5th!

Marjorie Decker, State Representative, 25th Middlesex- Vote November 5th 

Margaret Scarsdale, State Representative, 1st Middlesex- Vote November 5th

Jack Lewis, State Representative, 7th Middlesex- Vote November 5th

Jim Hawkins, State Representative, 2nd Bristol- Vote November 5th

Jay Livingstone, State Representative, 8th Suffolk- Vote November 5th

Natalie Higgins, State Representative, 4th Worcester- Vote November 5th  

Dylan Fernandes, State Senate, Plymouth and Barnstable- Vote November 5th

Becca Rausch, State Senate, Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex- Vote November 5th 

Social Worker, Barry Sanders, State Senate, Third Bristol and Plymouth- Lost primary

Social Worker, Muriel Kramer, Governor's Council, District 2 - Lost Primary

Johnnie McKnight, State Representative, 11th Hampden- Lost primary

Bill Humphrey, State Representative, 12th Middlesex- Lost primary

Arielle Faria, State Representative, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket- Lost Primary

Activist Opportunity: Join PACE-MA!

NASW members have the opportunity to participate in the endorsement process and to work on the political campaigns of PACE-MA-endorsed candidates. PACE-MA typically meets virtually on the third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. PACE-MA is currently meeting virtually.

2024 Executive Board of PACE:
Chair: Kim Hokanson, MSW

Treasurer: Carly Burton, MSW

See our endorsements here: www.facebook.com/naswmapace

Find your legislator and district here.

To get involved in the PACE Committee, please contact Beth Morrison, Political Action Manager.

Candidates - Are you seeking an endorsement?

Thank you for your interest in seeking an endorsement from NASW-MA PACE!

Please keep in mind the following:

• We do not get involved in local/municipal races unless you are a social worker who is running, or there are extenuating circumstances.
• Our process begins with a short questionnaire submitted along with a letter of recommendation from a Massachusetts social worker (unless you are a social worker), and an interview to follow with members of the committee either in person or Zoom.
• Some ways we support our endorsed candidates have included a combination of: a press release, an email to NASW members in the candidate's district, and/or a monetary contribution to their campaign.

If you are interested in seeking our endorsement, please email Political Action Manager, Beth Morrison, bmorrison.naswma@socialworkers.org.  

For Members: Help Them Get Elected!

Do you have a plan to vote?  Vote by Mail and Early Voting are available.  Make sure you're registered to vote and find your polling place here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote

Endorsements are a powerful tool; they boost a candidate's platform by declaring that an organization trusts them to be an ally to their cause. Many candidates seek PACE's endorsement to show their constituents that the largest group of professional social workers stand with them.

Even if you're not a member of PACE, you are still able to help endorsed candidates get elected several ways:

1. Visit their website and tell voters who live in their district about their key issues/platform.
2. Donate to their campaign. Even small donations like $10 can add up to big change- and campaigns aren't cheap!
3. Phone bank to help them fundraise. Candidates will often hold phone banking nights at their campaign headquarters, some have the option to do it remotely from your home. Text banking is also a great way to be involved and can be done from home. These shifts are typically 1-2 hours.
4. Door knock (aka canvass) the voters in their district. Canvassing are typically short shifts (2 hours) and happen during weekday evenings and mid-afternoon on weekends. You're typically paired with a buddy and knock doors in the neighborhood to drop literature, talk about the candidate and collect feedback to bring to the campaign manager.
5. Volunteer your special skills. Do you have a knack for graphic design or social media? In addition to paid staff, candidates are always looking for people to lend their special talents.

To learn more about ways to support PACE-endorsed candidates, please contact us!