Coakley Picks Up Key Union Endorsement

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has picked up the endorsement of one of the state's largest unions — the Service Employees International Union — in her bid to fill the late Edward Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat.

SEIU officials say this is the first time all five locals have reached enough of a consensus that the union has been able to endorse a candidate in a statewide primary race.

Harris Gruman, Massachusetts Political Director for the SEIU, made the announcement Friday, saying Coakley's positions are closely aligned with those of the union.

"Our relationship with the attorney general on the rights of working people... and also taking on very tough business interests at the highest levels, in healthcare and finance, shows, I think, how close she is really to the cutting edge of where our union's issues are," he said.  " This is a candidate who shares our values on the toughest issues of them all."

Gruman said Coakley, along with Democratic opponents Alan Khazei and Michael Capuano attended a candidate forum for union members. Democrat Steve Pagliuca and Republican, Scott Brown, did not attend.

In receiving the endorsement, Coakley said she would continue the late Kennedy's fight to include a government-sponsored health plan, or public option, in the final healthcare bill.

The endorsement comes as campaign finance reports show Coakley has raised about $2 million — more than any other candidate has raised.