Third Suffolk District State Representative Aaron Michlewitz and District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina endorsed John Connolly today to be the next Mayor of Boston. Connolly is in a close race against Marty Walsh in the upcoming November 5th election.
Representing the North End, South End and parts of Downtown Boston, Michlewitz joined with a former rival in Susan Passoni for the mayoral endorsement. A South End community leader, Passoni challenged Michlewitz, a lifelong North Ender, in the 2009 Special Election to fill the seat held by former Speaker Sal DiMasi. Passoni has been active in the campaign to elect John Connolly. The announcement was made on Wednesday morning in the South End.
The Connolly endorsement is also significant because Rep. Michlewitz was a high profile supporter of Charlotte Golar Richie in the September preliminary election. Michlewitz participated in several campaign events on behalf of Golar Richie as well as fundraisers and meet and greets. He even led a trolley tour from the North End to a Golar Richie rally in Roxbury. Golar Richie came in third during the preliminaries excluding her from the final election. She has yet to give her highly sought after endorsement to either of the two mayoral finalists.
Among other local officials representing the North End, District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina has endorsed John Connolly with whom he worked on Boston City Council. LaMattina said,
“I have worked with John on the Committee on Education and I have seen the way he listens to parents and students and his deep understanding of our schools, and I have no doubt that if he is elected he will transform our schools so that every child can attend a high quality school.”
Breaking from the North End pack this time is State Senator Anthony Pettruccelli who has instead endorsed his State House colleague, Marty Walsh.
Both Connolly and Walsh are trying to secure the endorsements of former rivals from the September preliminary election as well as local officials throughout the city. Earlier in the week, Marty Walsh received the support of City Councilor At-Large Felix Arroyo and non-profit executive John Barros.
Connolly and Walsh have been active campaigning this week in the North End / Waterfront neighborhood to reach out to voters in the tight race. Walsh held a “Monday with Marty” at the Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel while Connolly held an event on Tuesday at Billy Tse’s Restaurant.
Great choice Aaron! Aaron’s a great State Rep and John Connolly will make a great Mayor!
Cool! Glad to hear it