With about seven months left until the September 1 Democratic primary, U.S. Senator Edward Markey can count on 20 influential mayors to help him as he tries to fend off a strong challenge from U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III.
Markey’s campaign announced the mayoral endorsements Wednesday, January 29 with the senator touting his work at the local level across the state and his connections with the mayors and residents and voters.
The list of mayors endorsing Markey includes Paul Heroux of Attleboro; Robert Sullivan of Brockton; Nicole LaChapelle of Easthampton; Stephen DiNatale of Fitchburg; James Fiorentini of Haverhill; Dan Rivera of Lawrence; Tom McGee of Lynn; Gary Christenson of Malden; Breanna Lungo-Koehn of Medford; Paul Brodeur of Melrose; Donna Holaday of Newburyport; David Narkewicz of Northampton; Tom Bernard of North Adams; Linda Tyer of Pittsfield; Tom Koch of Quincy; Brian Arrigo of Revere; Joe Curtatone of Somerville; Scott Galvin of Woburn; and Joseph Petty of Worcester. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh is also on Markey’s list of mayoral supporters, although his support for Markey has been previously reported.
All are Democrats.
“As we work to improve the lives of every resident across our Commonwealth, we are grateful to have such a strong partner at the federal level advocating for our communities,” the mayors said in an endorsement letter. “We are proud to stand as ‘Mayors for Markey,’ and we hope you’ll join us in supporting Senator Markey, a progressive and visionary leader for Massachusetts, this September.” The mayors added, “Over the last six years, Senator Markey has taken the time to get to know our communities on a deeply personal level, never missing an opportunity to listen to our residents’ stories on the ground. He has heard our unique and specific needs, and has continually gone out and delivered for our families.”
A former congressman, Markey ran statewide in a 2013 special election to win the seat he holds and won re-election in 2014 to a six-year term. Kennedy, of Newton, who represents the Fourth Congressional District, is running statewide for the first time.
Kennedy has announced endorsements from Lowell Mayor John Leahy, City Manager Eileen Donoghue, and state Representatives Dave Nangle and Tom Golden; city councilors in Springfield, Salem, and Peabody; Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Sheriff Kevin Coppinger; Peabody Mayor Edward Bettencourt; and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, among others.
