Editor's Note: This is a weekly series focusing on the 2010 campaign for Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill. The primary is Sept. 14. The general election is Nov. 2.
Jack Wilson, one of several Democrats running for the 2nd Essex and Middlesex state senate seat being vacated by Sue Tucker, was endorsed last week by the New England Police Benevolent Association.
The endorsement was announced at a ceremony Thursday at the Tewksbury 9/11 Memorial on Chandler Street, which included police officers from Andover, Dracut and Tewksbury.
The union said it is endorsing Wilson "because he has been an outspoken advocate for public safety throughout his campaign. He understands that well-trained, well-staffed and well-equipped public safety departments are at the foundation of strong and healthy communities and he is committed to fight on behalf of law enforcement in the state senate."
Wilson said he was honored to accept the endorsement.
"These dedicated men and women ... put their lives on the line day in and day out and deserve our utmost respect and support," he said. "Public safety should always remain the top priority in the state budget. As state senator, I will be committed to ensuring that public safety officials possess the resources needed to keep them well-staffed, well-trained, and well-equipped so that the residents of the district and the Commonwealth remain well-protected at all times."
The New England PBA is a law enforcement labor organization that works to improve legislation that protects and affects its membership. It serves more than 100 law enforcement locals, including those representing patrolmen, superior officers and dispatchers in the Towns of Andover, Dracut and Tewksbury.
Environmental group endorses Finegold
Barry Finegold, another Democrat running for the 2nd Essex and Middlesex state senate seat, picked up an endorsement last week from the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters.
"Barry is an independent voice whose work on renewable energy development shows a clear understanding of the fact that protecting the environment and creating the clean jobs of tomorrow go hand in hand," Lora Wondolowski, MLEV's executive director, said in a prepared statement. "We look forward to working with Barry as he continues his excellent work in the state senate."
Finegold said he was honored to earn the endorsement. If elected to the senate, he promised to work to help move the state "from a fossil fuel economy to a green economy."
He also trumpeted his past accomplishments in the area of the environment, including organizing events like Greening Andover, pushing for the passage of a bill streamlining the permitting process for large-scale, land-based wind facilities, and supporting the updated bottle bill.
Silberstein marches in Dominican parade
Debbie Silberstein, yet another Democratic candidate for state senate in the 2nd Essex and Middlesex District, marched in the Aug. 29 Dominican parade in Lawrence. She was joined by more than a dozen supporters sporting campaign shirts, carrying signs and driving two trucks.
"As the daughter of immigrants who came to America seeking a better life, I feel a special connection to the Dominican community here in Lawrence," Silberstein said in a prepared statement. "As a community activist, I am inspired by many of the wonderful people I've met here in Lawrence during the course of this campaign. There is no doubt in my mind that with new leadership Lawrence can be an even greater place to live and work; that's why I'm running for the state senate."
Rahilly knocks on 1,500 doors
Patrick Rahilly, one of two Republicans seeking the 2nd Essex and Middlesex senate seat, issued a press release last week trumpeting the fact that he has crossed the "1,500 doors knocked on" plateau.
"It's very exciting to have reached that many people, and it's especially exciting since I got to talk to over 1,100 since mid-May," Rahilly said. "The people have really shaped me as a candidate, always giving encouragement and ideas, which I write them all down. I have probably gone through six notebooks thus far."
He said the biggest compliment he has received thus far is that he listens to all ideas and engages in a dialogue "instead of going door-to-door, pitching a few lines and moving on."
Leftovers from last week's debate
The four Republicans running for Congress in the 5th District took part in a wide-ranging debate at Mann Orchards in Methuen last week.
Jon Golnik of Carlisle, Sam Meas of Haverhill, Bob Shapiro of Andover, and Tom Weaver of Westford are all running in the Sept. 14 Republican primary.
Here are some interesting comments from the debate that didn't make it into print:
"Regulation increases the cost of doing business," Golnik said. "We need to lessen regulation and create more certainty so private businesses can create jobs."
"They voted for it cluelessly," said Meas, criticizing incumbent lawmakers for failing to read the health care and financial reform bills recently passed into law. "I refuse to abide by that."
"I'm willing to say what the magnitude of the problem is," said Shapiro, when asked what percentage of the federal budget he would cut. "I want to cut it in half."
"I don't believe in becoming another Russia," said Weaver, speaking generally about the current direction of the country. "I don't believe in that. I believe in freedom."
Golnik on the move
Golnik, incidentally, spent a good deal of time traveling throughout the district last week, enjoying coffee with citizens.
"I've spent a lot of time on the campaign trail talking with people, but mostly listening," Golnik said. "I know that is what we all want from Washington. I also know that if (incumbent) Niki Tsongas and our members of Congress had heard our calls, they would have stopped voting for reckless and failing spending measures and instead, would have gotten out of our way so we could grow. Government doesn't create jobs, the private sector does."
Among the communities visited by Golnik last week were Dunstable, Groton, Tyngsborough, Dracut, Chelmsford and Billerica.
