MA Senate Candidate Khazei Isn’t Going Anywhere

By Leeza Yeretzian — 10/22/2011
Alan Khazei is in it for the long haul.
In a special in-studio interview with WEBN, the social entrepreneur, the father, the idealist, and Massachusetts Democratic Senate candidate discussed his proactive campaign platform and his inspiration behind joining the race.
“I felt an undaunted spirit of people’s willingness to roll up their sleeves and get to work and not be discouraged about where we were at if we could work together,” said Khazei.
Khazei said he will be an advocate for the people, like the tireless at Occupy Boston. He said the movement is important and inspiring, and he understands the people’s frustrations with unemployment and public education from his time spent on the campaign trail. “When you want to lead, first you have to listen and learn. I’ve learned that they want to find common ground,” said Khazei.
Job creation has been topping the to do list of every candidate. Khazei said part of his job creation plan is to institute a 15 percent tax credit to spur employment and convert unemployment compensation benefits into vouchers.
Khazei is campaigning against fellow competitors State Representative Tom Conroy, immigration attorney Marissa DeFranco, engineer Herb Robinson, and Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren to unseat incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown.
He was especially critical of Brown, saying “At a time when we need game changing leadership, he has been totally absent. He could have been an incredible leader. He didn’t use that position to advance anything productive.”
As a self-proclaimed underdog in the Senate race, Khazei is focused on surviving this competitive primary and winning the election. He said, “I believe that I have the track record and the agenda and the leadership style that’s needed for these times.”