Menino Endorses Fellow Democrat Patrick

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced Friday that he is endorsing Gov. Deval Patrick for re-election, citing his fellow Democrat's work to improve education and economic development in Massachusetts.

"I've been in public service for many years and I have seen many politicians, but I have not seen that many leaders. We are fortunate to have a real leader in Massachusetts," said Menino, who was re-elected last fall and has become the city's longest-serving mayor.

The endorsement is not a surprise, given that Patrick and Menino share party ties. But it could boost the governor's re-election prospects by placing Menino's field organization at his disposal in the most vote-rich community in the state.

Menino sparked some nervous twitters within the Patrick camp in April, when he told an interviewer he would grade the governor at a C for his first three years in office, but a B-plus more recently. Menino said Patrick initially lacked focus in office.

"I am proud to receive the endorsement of Mayor Menino," Patrick said Friday in their joint statement. "Mayor Menino continues to be an invaluable partner in moving the city of Boston and the commonwealth forward."

Patrick is being challenged for a second term by Republican Charles Baker, independent Timothy Cahill and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein.

Massachusetts is holding primaries on Tuesday, but with the four candidates uncontested, each is seeking a means to remain in the public spotlight heading into the general election on Nov. 2.

Baker and Cahill are already running television ads, and Patrick is expected to begin airing his own within the next week. Stein said a campaign song written by a supporter, "Follow the Money," had helped boost September fundraising.

All four candidates participated Tuesday in their first live, televised debate, and they meet again Tuesday at 8 p.m. on WBZ-AM, as well as at 9 a.m. Thursday on WTKK-FM.

Patrick's campaign fundraising is also picking up pace as the race tightens for a second term.

The governor reported raising more than twice as much as Baker during August, $524,000 to $253,000.
Cahill reported raising just $22,000 in August. Stein raised about $21,000.