Around New England

Obama Endorses Pro-Abortion Challenger of State Representative Jim Lyons

October 2, 2018

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Tram Nguyen, a pro-abortion Democrat running against conservative state Representative Jim Lyons (R-Andover).

Nguyen, a legal aid lawyer from Andover who came to America at age 5 from Vietnam, received a second-wave endorsement from Obama, who announced new endorsements on Twitter on Monday.

Left-wing Democrats have been gunning for Lyons, who is the most conservative member of the Massachusetts Legislature.

“I stand for inclusion, equality and making sure that we have the quality of life we deserve in the district,” Nguyen said, according to the Lowell Sun. “I stand polar opposite to my opponent in this race.” 

Lyons told the Lowell Sun that he is campaigning door-to-door.

“That’s the endorsement that I’m looking for,” Lyons said, referring to his constituents, according to the Lowell Sun. “I’ve gotten it four times and I’m hoping to get it again. Clearly, the special interest that I work to represent are the hardworking taxpayers of the district. I always put my district first and I’m going to continue to do that.”

Lyons has drawn ire from left-wing critics for supporting repeal of the so-called Bathroom Bill, which guarantees a right of biological males who identify as women to use bathrooms and locker rooms meant for females (Question 3 in November); and for opposing a ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors.

As of six weeks ago (the latest for which figures are available), Nguyen had significantly outraised Lyons in campaign donations.

As of August 17, Lyons had $39,119.92 cash on hand, out of a total $78,733.97 he had during the previous six months when adding in beginning balance ($29,692.92) and amount raised during that period ($49,041.05), according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

As of August 17, Nguyen had $72,307.05 cash on hand, out of a total $134,104.58 she had during the previous six months when adding beginning balance ($14,208.81) and amount raised during that period ($116,895.77), according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Nguyen is the only candidate for state representative in Massachusetts who got an endorsement from Obama.

A state Senate candidate on the South Shore and an incumbent state senator on the Cape also got an endorsement from the former president, as did the Democratic candidates for governor (Jay Gonzalez) and lieutenant governor (Quentin Palfrey). So did Ayanna Pressley, a Boston city councilor running unopposed in the Seventh Congressional District in November.