This weekend’s news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had defeated President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election triggered a wave of optimism among elected officials in Massachusetts, who said they look forward to partnering with the incoming administration, amid speculation that some may join Team Biden.
District Attorney Rachael Rollins, Boston City Council President Kim Janey and Rep. Chynah Tyler, chair of the city's legislative delegation on Beacon Hill, joined Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and more than a dozen other elected officials Sunday on City Hall Plaza to begin turning the page on the Trump administration.
In this year's elections, Democrats saw their majority in the U.S. House reduced and likely failed to seize control of the Senate, but their win in the presidential election spawned hope that with a Democrat in the White House they will be able to bridge divisions on key issues in Congress.
Walsh ticked off a list of issues where he believes advancements are possible — climate change, child care, infrastructure, housing, diversity, public transportation, child care, and the coronavirus fight.
"The opportunity for progress is greater than it's been in a long, long, long time," he said.
With elected officials standing behind him, Walsh said Biden "understands what makes Boston strong" and called Harris, who will become the first woman to serve as vice president, a "pathbreaker and a role model."
"We all support them and we will all be in their corner in whatever they need," Walsh said.
Biden is expected to look to Massachusetts for talent and names like Walsh, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and even Gov. Charlie Baker have surfaced as possibilities. Walsh was asked about speculation he may be tapped.
"There's a lot of speculation about a lot of things. There's a lot of people being tapped," Walsh said. "He can't take everyone from Massachusetts to Washington with him. I think there's a lot there. I'm just looking forward to working with this administration, as everyone here is."
Meanwhile, the Democratic members of Congress representing central and western Massachusetts also congratulated Biden.
“Decency, compassion, and competency have won,” U.S. Rep. Richard Neal of Springfield said. “Now, it's time for Americans to unite behind the Biden-Harris Administration so we can pursue science-based solutions to end the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Neal, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he looks forward to working with Biden on an economic recovery program, which he said should include “health care, infrastructure and funding for local governments.”
“Millions of Americans are still out of work, and too many small businesses are still barely getting by,” Neal said. “I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to act swiftly on these common sense priorities."
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern of Worcester called Saturday a “historic day,” noting that Harris is set to become the first woman and first woman of color to be elected vice president.
“The people have spoken, and the goodness of America is shining through,” said McGovern, who leads the House Rules Committee. “We will soon have a President and Vice President who believe in science, who defend human rights and stand up to bullies around the world, and who see the common dignity of every person on this planet.”
Biden’s victory was marked in cities and towns across the region, including an hours-long celebration Saturday in downtown Northampton, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Celebrations in Boston and Hartford also included Trump supporters protesting the results.
The bulk of this story was written by Michael P. Norton of the State House News Service, with additional information from NEPM's Sam Hudzik.
