State Senate Rivals Tout Own Endorsements

On the heels of an opponent's significant endorsement from the past office holder, two challengers for the special State Senate election are touting their own announcements on the day of the first debate with the four candidates for the Democratic primary. 

A day after the popular former office holder Steve Tolman gave his personal blessing to Watertown's Robert McCarthy campaign to succeed him representing the Second Suffolk and Middlesex senate district, Tim Schofield and Jonathan Hecht each pointed to those who are backing their campaigns. 

Their announcements come as the candidates – also including Belmont State Rep. Will Brownsberger – will be together for the first time today, Nov. 29, at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Watertown which hosts . The event begins at 7 p.m.

On Monday, Nov. 28, At Large Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley endorsed Schofield, the Boston attorney and Brighton resident who is in his third campaign for public office. 

“Tim Schofield is a progressive leader and I’m proud to offer him my support for State Senate” said Pressley in a press release.

“Tim will stand up for Massachusetts’ working families, for smart economic development, strong schools, and civil rights and liberties. Tim understands the challenges we face today, and is the best choice to put our concerns first.”

Pressley was the top vote getter in the recent elections for Boston City Council. Her endorsement adds to the list of local leaders supporting Schofield in the Democratic Primary for State Senate on Dec. 13, including former candidate Sheila Lawn, state representatives Mike Moran and Kevin Honan, and Boston City Councilors Mark Ciommo, Mike Ross, Matt O’Malley, and John Connolly.

Watertown State Rep. Hecht took a pointed jab at the McCarthy endorsement in which Tolman, who left the senate to become the president of the AFL-CIO, backed the former head of the Massachusetts fire fighters union. 

The job of State Senator is to represent all the people of the district, not just a particular group or special interest.” said Hecht.

“I am the only candidate in this race with endorsements that come from a wide-range of elected officials, individuals and organizations from more than one community in the district.”

Representative Hecht has been endorsed by State Rep. John Lawn (D-Watertown, Waltham and Newton), the entire Watertown Town Council, members of the Watertown School Committee, including School Committee Chair Tony Paolillo, Cambridge City Councilor Henrietta Davis, Cambridge School Committee members Marc McGovern and Patty Nolan, the Cambridge Democratic Ward 9 Committee, and the Massachusetts Sierra Club.