Democrats split on support
BOSTON --Now that Deval Patrick is officially the Democratic candidate for governor, the party’s elected officials will be voicing support for the voters’ choice.
But going into yesterday’s vote, state lawmakers from Waltham and Newton were equally divided between candidates Deval Patrick and Attorney General Tom Reilly.
When reached yesterday, state Reps. Peter J. Koutoujian, D-Waltham, and Ruth Balser, D-Newton, were loyal to Reilly; state Reps. Thomas Stanley, D-Waltham, Kay Khan, D-Newton, and state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, all showed their support for Patrick.
Stanley’s concern with lowering property tax and paying attention to local matters resulted in his decision to support Patrick for governor and Deborah Goldberg for lieutenant governor.
"They both gave me their word that if elected they will listen to local representatives when we have local issues that deal with the state, which is a very important part of my job," he said yesterday. "It has been something that was lacking in past Republican administrations."
Worcester Mayor Timothy Murray bested Goldberg in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.
Koutoujian’s relationship with the attorney general dates back to when served as a prosecutor under Reilly in the Middlesex district attorney’s office.
"I’ve dealt a great deal with him and have been impressed with his work ethic ... and desire to make the world better," he said.
Koutoujian said Reilly is a person very much like himself. "He is not a millionaire," he said. "And he’s had opportunity to make more money, but continued to care about public service more than the moneymaking."
Reilly’s focus on health care and public education was also a deciding factor in Koutoujian’s support.
Balser felt Reilly would have had the best chance in the general election against Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey. She said Reilly has a track record of appealing to Democrats, independents and even some Republicans.
"The problem Democrats have had in the past is that many independents vote for Republicans," she said. "Tom has attracted independents because he is a bit more of a centrist than other Democrats."
Fargo lent her support to Patrick with an endorsement on his Web site. In a statement she called him the most inspired candidate she has seen in a long time. "People respond to him because he’s smart, articulate, and has a vision for the future of the commonwealth and its citizens."
Khan also supported Patrick. "He has a tremendous amount of experience, both in the public and private sector, and he will be good for Massachusetts and for moving it forward," she said yesterday.
"Having that kind of experience will be helpful. We are hoping to keep the population from dwindling and he will keep business here in Mass.," she said. "He has the experience to do that and commitment to the public sector to ensure education, public safety, transportation, health care continue to run well."
Kahn said she and Patrick shared strong beliefs on gay marriage, health care, the environment and transportation.
"He’s pro-choice, interested in supporting the immigrant population and takes a strong stand on environmental issues, such as wind farms and renewable energy," Kahn said.
In the face of criticism that Patrick has no experience as an elected official, Khan cited his work under the Clinton administration as experience in getting a good grasp in the public sector. "He’s inspirational, a great listener, a quick learner."