BOSTON, MA – Today, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston) released the following statement regarding his endorsement of Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio for Democratic Leader:

“After contemplating the course of our party’s direction over the past several years, I am proud to say that I have decided to support Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio as the next Democratic Leader in Congress.

While I have enormous respect for Nancy Pelosi, I believe the Democratic Party needs to change its direction and widen its focus in order to regain the trust and support of millions of hard-working American families who are our traditional base.

I believe that Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio truly understands the plight of American workers and that he can help us regain the support of lunch bucket Democrats who go out to work every morning and struggle to raise families but haven't had a raise in a long, long time.

It is ironic that during a prolonged period of low wage growth for most Americans, today’s Democratic Party has failed to articulate a forceful and meaningful message to working families that we are on their side. Instead, we are perceived as a party of narrow interests supported by the elite.

While Democrats have rightfully championed causes for the oppressed in our society, we have, of late, ignored the economic struggles of average American families that could unify us all in a larger cause and a shared destiny for all Americans.

This last election was an epic failure and another lost opportunity. To continue with business as usual would be a betrayal of our democratic values. I honestly believe that with Tim Ryan as Democratic Leader, we can demonstrate to middle class workers that we really do care about them too. And we can tip the balance back in Democrats’ favor and build a future that includes the millions of those American workers who put the Republicans and Donald Trump into power.

I also encourage my Democratic colleagues to help bring the change we need by voting for Tim Ryan for Democratic Leader.”