Around New England

Seth Moulton Now Running for Congress, Not President

August 23, 2019

U.S. Representative Seth Moulton (D-Salem) says his now-ending campaign for president “helped chip away at the stigma of mental health issues, especially among fellow veterans,” according to a news report summarizing his forthcoming withdrawal speech.

Moulton was polling at 0 percent, tied for last among the 21 Democratic candidates for president, according to Morning Consult.

Moulton plans to make a speech on the afternoon of Friday, August 24 announcing that he is formally suspending his campaign for president and running instead for re-election to his seat in Congress, according to State House News Service.

It’s unclear what Democrats eyeing Moulton’s seat will do now that Moulton is back in the race for Congress. Some Democratic analysts consider Moulton damaged by his zigzag campaign against U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this year and his quixotic campaign for president.

Democrats considering a run for the Sixth Congressional District include former state senator Barbara L’Italien of Andover, current state Representative Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead, Salem State University trustee Jamie Zahlaway Belsito of Topsfield, and former state Senate candidate Angus McQuilken.