From the Katherine Clark campaign, July 31: Katherine Clark has submitted more than 5,000 signatures to appear on the ballot in the 5th Congressional District. The total is 3,000 more than the 2,000 signatures necessary and includes signatures from all 24 cities and towns across the district.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the hundreds of volunteers who gathered signatures on my behalf. This achievement shows that given a challenge, our field team will accept it and far outpace it,” Clark said. “We spoke to voters in every single city and town in the 5th, and no matter where we went the issues that voters care about are the same. Families are looking for a representative who will stand up to the extremists trying to turn back the clock on women’s rights and get to work on the issues that can help our families and communities, such as pay equity, job creation, protecting Social Security and Medicare and finally passing common-sense measures to combat gun violence.”

Clark, a Democratic state senator from Melrose, said she was grateful for the work of the volunteers who reached out to voters during the two-week window.

“It’s great that we’ve completed this important first step in my campaign for Congress, but it’s just the beginning,” Clark said. “We’ll continue to work hard every day to talk to voters in every part of this district about the importance of shifting the conversation in Washington from an attack on women’s rights toward protecting Social Security and Medicare and helping families cover health care costs, save for retirement and pay for college educations.”

The primary election is scheduled for Oct. 15, with a general election set for Dec. 10.