A challenger who supports abortion is hitting the pro-life mayor of Quincy hard on abortion in the campaign for the city government’s top spot.
Anne Mahoney, a member of the Quincy City Council, criticized Mayor Thomas Koch for his positions on abortion and same-sex marriage during a debate Thursday, October 12.
Koch, a former Democrat who left the party over abortion, hosted a pro-life event in June 2021 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, which was covered by New Boston Post. “I’d rather lose the office, than be pro-choice, that’s for sure,” Koch said in a speech during the event two years ago.
Mahoney brought up the pro-life rally and the mayor’s beliefs on that issue and on homosexuality during the debate Thursday.
“The reality of it is, is that this mayor leans far right when it comes to — is anti-choice. He’s anti-marriage equality. And he’s against LGBTQIA,” Mahoney said.
In his first response Koch didn’t initially address abortion, but he hit back at the idea that his administration treats homosexuals poorly.
“We’ve enjoyed a good relationship with every non-profit and organization in the city. In fact, during the pandemic, we took good care of those folks in need. The first calls we made when the federal money came in was to the food pantries, to folks that were needing fuel, folks that couldn’t pay their rent. It didn’t matter whether they were gay, straight, black, or white. where we treat everybody with respect and dignity in everything we do. And I’d certainly challenge anyone to see anything different than that. Show me any time anyone has had an issue with me as far as treatment goes with government. I remind my departments all the time, when somebody comes to that counter, treat them like it’s your mother or your brother or your grandmother. That may be the only interaction they have with their local government. And I want them walking away saying, I’m proud of my local government. So I’m proud of our record here in Quincy,” Koch said, to applause.
You know, the issue of anti-choice was brought to this administration. The fact of the matter is, is once Roe versus Wade was overturned, the state of Massachusetts does stand for women’s rights and reproductive rights. There are women in this city that don’t feel safe by having a leader who is so far the right that they make them feel uncomfortable. When it comes to actually people who do not agree with this mayor, almost all of his materials are going out saying that he will work with everybody. He’ll work with everybody until you don’t agree with him. Because when you don’t agree with this administration, then you get labeled as a naysayer, negative, or somebody who pushes things down. I can tell you that when I’ve questioned things, it was for the betterment of the city of Quincy and for the taxpayers who live here. I can promise you when I am your mayor, I will represent in an inclusive way everybody who lives here in the city of Quincy and you will not have to fear that I will put my religious beliefs before you.
Mayor Thomas Koch:
I’m a little confused. I don’t know if my opponent’s running for state representative or congressman. But a mayor has no vote on that issue. I do have a personal belief and it’s based on my faith, and I believe that. But Massachusetts, the law is baked. This is not an issue at all. So I’m not really sure why my opponent brings it up, other than to attack my religious belief.
Anne Mahoney:
This has become a local issue because the federal government overturned Roe versus Wade. When we have a leader who’s saying that he would rather lose his seat than be pro-choice, then we have a problem in the city of Quincy. To protect our rights, we all have to take a stand. This is a medical issue that should be saved between a woman and her doctor, and it should not be something that’s coming into play, but it came into play when you decided to hold rallies at our stadium with our police officers protecting you.
The general election is Tuesday, November 7.
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Thomas Koch, mayor of Quincy, Massachusetts 
