- Rockport Democrats

Join Us

Monthly Meeting

Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Rockport Public Library
Brenner Room (2nd floor)

The agenda includes Democratic candidates for Massachusetts House of Representatives, 5th Essex District (30 minutes each for remarks and questions).

Following Meeting August 15, 2026 (to be confirmed)

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Midterm Election

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Presidential Election

What can you do?

Register to vote and enroll as a Democrat at the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s web page.

Contribute to targeted Congressional races. See John Doue’s spreadsheet here.

Join the non-partisan standout at Dock Square every Saturday at 11:30 AM (weather permitting).

Check out local opposition to Federal actions since Inauguration Day at the Cape Ann Indivisible website.

For more ideas see our Take Action! menu above.

Marching with Us

Saturday, July 4 in the Rockport Firemen’s Parade

We also marched Friday, July 3 in the Gloucester “Horribles” Parade

Special Election for State Representative

Thanks to everyone who voted. From the elections page on our Town website, here are the results for Rockport.

UNOFFICIAL TALLY SHEET Rockport-MA 3-31-2026 Download

Congratulations to Dru Tarr, who also won large majorities in Gloucester and Manchester. Frieden got a narrow plurality in Essex.

Caucus Results

Thanks to all who joined us on February 28 to elect a full slate of 6 Rockport delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention May 29-30. We had about 60 people including representatives for state and federal office.

The state party strives to ensure delegate representation that reflects the whole community, and has a number of add-on delegate seats, chosen by the Democratic State Committee, in the following categories: Disabled, Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups, Veteran, Youth (16 to 35 years old), and LGBTQ+. Add-on applications will be chosen by the Democratic State Committee at their Spring 2026 DSC meeting in April. We hope they will choose the Youth add-on from Rockport who applied.

2024 General Election Results for Rockport

UNOFFICIAL Rockport MA-TALLY SHEET 11-5-2024_percents

RDTC Facebook Posts

(Click on the “Photo” link to display the photo in Facebook.)

Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Posted July 13th

Last week, Senator Ed Markey and Congressmen Seth Moulton held the first of three planned debates in their primary contest for U.S. Senate. … See MoreSee Less

Massachusetts Senate primary debate: Markey vs Moulton

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The candidates in the Massachusetts democratic primary race for U.S…

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Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Posted July 11th

Fixed it for him. FYI: The Housing Bill will soon become law—even without Trump’s signature. … See MoreSee Less

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Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Posted July 7th

👏Rockport's refusal of National Grid's proposal for installing new bright streetlights is featured in yesterday's Boston Globe staff editorial:EDITORIALFireflies score a win in RockportA victory for fireflies in Rockport points to the need for legislation to protect the night sky from light pollution.Editorial Board July 6th, 2026, 9:39 amEvery summer evening as the sky darkens over the lawns and gardens that dot the beachfront town of Rockport, the firefly show begins. And for a time the tiny dots of blinking lights make life slow down, except, of course, for children, for whom the chase begins.Fireflies — virtually unknown in cities these days — are a big thing on Cape Ann. The Manship Artists Residency center in nearby Lanesville hosts Meet the Manship Fireflies evenings on its sprawling grounds to initiate the uninitiated in the wonder of seeing these increasingly rare creatures.And by the time the firefly show winds down, the night sky — whether over the beach or on Manship’s aptly named Starfield — is awash in stars. The Big Dipper and the Little Dipper that too many children only know from books or the planetarium are right overhead.Not surprisingly, the good people of Rockport enjoy the summer mating dance of their fireflies and their view of the stars just the way they are and are willing to fight the kind of light pollution that has the potential to interfere with both.So when National Grid offered to replace the town’s existing incandescent street lamps with bright new modern LED lamps, which would have yellowish color temperatures of either 3,000 or 4,000 degrees Kelvin, the answer was a resounding no. (The color temperature of midday sunlight is about 5,000 degrees Kelvin; the lower the temperature, the more yellow, orange, and red the color is.) The Select Board voted unanimously against the proposal after a poll of local voters showed overwhelming opposition (823 against, 82 for, and 22 with no opinion).Sure, the switch would have saved the town an estimated $40,000 a year, and it’s not as if new streetlights aren’t needed, but according to the Cape Ann Climate Coalition these particular lights came at too great a cost.“LED lights save energy, but the 3,000K to 4,000K lights have consequences to health, wildlife, and the environment,” the group noted on its Facebook page.“Nobody is saying don’t change the lights for LEDs, but use 2,200K,” which have a more orange or amber cast and don’t cause as much harm, the coalition said. “Once the lights go in, you are stuck with them, so you want to make the right decision.”Rockport is one of those towns with an engaged citizenry and a Select Board that listens to its constituents. Other towns might not be so fortunate — and curbing light pollution shouldn’t be a town-by-town matter.After all, fireflies have a devil of a time reading road signs. But they do know a hostile light-filled sky when they see it.Enter the Massachusetts Senate, which this week gave its approval to a bill that would give all communities in this state the kind of guidance they need to do the right thing — to keep communities well-lit and safe while also protecting wildlife, migratory birds, and, yes, fireflies from the impacts of light pollution. The legislation deals strictly with publicly owned lighting — street lamps that are the responsibility of a city, town, or the state — and its specifications come into play only when new lights are being installed. It would require street lights and parking lot lights to be “fully shielded,” assuring that light shines down and out — not upward toward the sky. It provides for warmer colors, avoiding the bright white that is considered most disruptive to wildlife, and sets the color of illumination at a maximum of 3,000 degrees Kelvin.There are appropriate exceptions for public safety, for aviation, and for the illumination of playing fields and tennis courts — also for temporary emergency, repair, or construction lighting.It is modeled on both the research and legislation supported by DarkSky International. And similar proposals have already become law. At least 19 states, including New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut, have adopted laws aimed at curbing light pollution. Some even make seasonal adjustments — like Florida dimming certain beachfront lighting during sea turtle hatching season.So this is hardly revolutionary legislation. It’s simply a case of Massachusetts catching up with the times and with the now well-founded research that brighter isn’t always better. Not every community needs to be decked out like Times Square. The Senate bill is mirrored on the House side by legislation that the House advanced June 17 as part of an environmental bond bill. With the end of the session drawing close, lawmakers should ensure that legislation both chambers support becomes law. Rockport made a great call, but it shouldn’t have had to go it alone without the kind of guidance states around the country supply to their cities and towns. Massachusetts communities — and fireflies everywhere — deserve better. … See MoreSee Less

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Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Posted July 5th

Rockport Democrats were proud to participate in the annual Fireman’s Association 4th of July Parade yesterday. It is such a fun community event and we were heartened by the support we received from our fellow townspeople for our work and message as a local party. ❤️ 🤍 💙 … See MoreSee Less

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Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Posted July 4th

Happy 250th Birthday, America! Wishing all a safe and festive 4th of July! … See MoreSee Less

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Rockport Democratic Town Committee

Posted July 3rd

Rockport Democrats representing at the annual Gloucester Fishtown Horribles Parade. 🇺🇸 … See MoreSee Less

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