Some State Rep Candidates Vye for Endorsements While Others Avoid Them
– Allison Goldsberry
The five candidates seeking Jim Marzilli’s former state representative seat have different approaches to the traditional candidate endorsements- some are racking them up and touting them as evidence of their qualifications, while others eschew them in favor of appearing more independent.
Two of the Democratic candidates, Arlington School Committee members Sean Garbelley and Jeff Thielman, are splitting the traditional Democratic endorsements such as unions and advocacy groups.
Thielman has been endorsed by both Marzilli, now a state senator, and State Representative Paul Donato, as well as several unions and groups, including SEUI Local 509, the state’s largest human service workers union, the American Federation of Teachers of Massachusetts, which includes thousands of teachers from such communities as Boston, Lowell, Lynn, and Salem, GREY2K USA, a group dedicated to ending dog-racing, and the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of our State Senator, and former State Representative, Jim Marzilli. I’m also pleased by the endorsement of Rep. Paul Donato. I know we can work together to advance issues that help the people of Medford,” said Thielman.
Garballey has received the endorsement of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Arlington Firefighters Local 1297, both the Arlington and Medford Police Patrolman Associations, the Medford Police Superior Officer’s Association, and AFSCME Local 680 Traffic Supervisors.
“I am honored to receive the endorsements of these well respected organizations…These organizations work to improve the quality of life for citizens in Arlington and Medford and I am proud that they firmly believe that I will be the strongest advocate for education, public safety, and for health care in the House of Representatives,” said Garballey.
Republican candidate and former Arlington Town Moderator John Worden has refrained from seeking endorsements, particularly from interest groups and unions, because he says they compel a candidate to subscribe to a certain set of beliefs.
“We have not sought endorsements from any interest groups, unions, etc., and thus, not surprisingly, have not received any. The questionnaires received – and there have been many – imply pretty strongly that the price of endorsement is subscribing to a pre-set agenda of the particular group. I intend to keep an open mind on each piece of legislation as it comes along,” said Worden.
Worden has instead focused on endorsements from individuals voters in Arlington and Medford, which he says he will be announcing in the near future.
Arlington resident Andrew O’Brien, also running as a Democrat, has avoiding seeking political endorsements and campaign cash from both groups and individuals.
“I have not received any endorsements. I do not see this as a negative. Since I did not receive any money from any organization or individual I am not beholden to their interests,” said O’Brien.
Independent candidate and business owner Robert Valeri, an Arlington resident, has also not receive any endorsements.
“A major part of my campaign is that I am ‘independent.’ I am unenrolled because I don’t want to be beholden to specific party lines on many issues…If an organization were to endorse me, it would be gratefully accepted, however, it would not be because I have bowed to their positions. We need a representative that will truly represent the majority, and strict party ideology does not always allow for that,” said Valeri.
The candidates are squaring off Thursday night in a candidate forum organized by the Arlington League of Women Voters at Arlington Town Hall at 7:30PM.
A candidate forum is also planned for Medford on Tuesday, January 29, at 7PM at Medford High School. The forum is co-sponsored by InsideMedford.com and the Medford High School Social Studies Department.
A primary election for the Democratic candidates will take place on the same day as the presidential primary on Tuesday, February 5. The winner of the primary will advance to compete in the general election on March 4 against Worden, running as a Republican, and Valeri, running as an independent candidate.
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