Boston’s state reps weighing in on mayor’s race, but few senators offer backing so far
This morning, state Representative Nick Collins endorsed city councilor John Connolly’s run to be the next mayor of Boston — removing Collins from the ever-thinning ranks of state legislators from the city who have not weighed in on contest.
There are 16 state representatives (excluding the vacant 12th Suffolk seat) and five state senators whose districts include parts of Boston.
Among those state reps, only three — Jeffrey Sanchez, Byron Rushing, and Russell Holmes — have yet to endorse one of the dozen mayoral candidates. (A fourth, Martin J. Walsh, is running for mayor and endorses himself every day on the campaign trail.)
Here’s how the state rep endorsements break down:
Connolly: 4 — Collins, Carlo Basile, Jay Livingstone, Edward Coppinger
Former state representative Charlotte Golar Richie: 3 — Aaron Michlewitz, Gloria Fox, Michael Moran
Walsh: 2 — Eugene O’Flaherty, Liz Malia.
City Councilor Rob Consalvo: 2 — Kevin Honan, Angelo Scaccia
Former school committee member John Barros: 1 — Carlos Henriquez
It’s unclear whether Sanchez, Rushing, or Holmes are planning on endorsing in the preliminary. We’ve reached out to each of them and will update if we hear back.
The Collins endorsement, which was first reported Wednesday by the Dorchester Reporter, was formally announced Thursday morning in front of the Perry K-8 School in South Boston.
Connolly’s camp no doubt hopes that Collin’s backing helps them shore up support in Southie — an enclave of political power where Walsh’s red campaign signs are abundant.
Meanwhile, the five state senators whose districts include the City of Boston have been much more reluctant to jump into the mayoral fray.
The lone state senator endorsement thus far appears to have come from Anthony Petruccelli, who is backing Consalvo.
Meanwhile, state senators Sonia Chang-Diaz, Will Brownsberger, Michael Rush, and Linda Dorcena Forry have yet to weigh in.
It’s worth noting that Sanchez and Chang-Diaz — two of Greater Boston’s best-known elected officials of color — both considered mounting their own mayoral campaigns when Thomas M. Menino announced he would not seek re-election, but ultimately decided against it.
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