Top Dems Descend on Worcester

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Adam Joseph Drici, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

From the U.S. Senate to the State House of Representatives, Democratic candidates were set to converge in Worcester on Saturday to rally support and encourage voters to head to the ballot box this November.

Democratic Unity Breakfast

The day was scheduled for an early start with the Democratic City Committee's Unity Breakfast at 8:30a.m. at Coral Seafood on Shrewsbury Street.

City Committee Chair Candy Mero-Carlson said the event was intended to help the local members of the Democratic Party come together behind newly elected State Rep. candidate Mary Keefe after the hard-fought five-way primary race in Worcester's 15th District.

The Unity Breakfast will also offer a Who's Who of blue politicians from both Central Mass and the Bay State at large.

Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Jim McGovern and former Worcester Mayor and current Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray were all on tap for the Saturday morning spread, as well as State Rep. Jim O'Day, Rep. John Binienda, State Senator Mike Moore and the party's newest State Rep. candidate, Mary Keefe.

A Local Focus

"Elizabeth knows that the people of central Massachusetts will play a critical role in this race," said the Warren campaign's Alethea Harney.

"While Scott Brown has refused an invitation to participate in a Worcester debate, Elizabeth's team - which includes six field organizers in Worcester County alone - has kicked off a coordinated grassroots effort, combining the energy, resources and organizations of Congressman McGovern, Mayor Petty and other area elected officials."

Ward 6 Chair David LeBoeuf said the event would be important for bringing new energy to the party now that the summer is over and Election Day is less than two months away.

"It's really reminding people what's at stake during this election," he said, noting that he and his fellow committee members were looking to share their message to all voters, regardless of party affiliation.

LeBoeuf, who is working for O'Day's re-election campaign, said the location of the day's breakfast was not coincidental.

"These are people who've been advocating for Worcester," he said, referencing both O'Day's and Moore's work to bring pragmatic solutions for economic development to the region.

Despite the early hour, the event was expected to draw a large crowd.

"Our hope is that they'll embrace the message that we have," LeBoeuf said.

"They're ready to move forward, not backward."

Youth Day of Action

Afterward, McGovern was scheduled to head down the street to Clark University for a "Youth Day of Action."

Lianna Stroster, president of the Democrats of Clark University, said the idea behind the day's second event was to motivate students on campus to get involved and just to vote in general.

"This year is a very important election year," she said.

"There's a ton of work they could do here in Worcester."

The McGovern campaign's Scott Zoback said the Congressman would be on hand to send off a bus of volunteers to go up to help with canvassing and get out the vote efforts in New Hampshire.

"Elizabeth's momentum is growing across Worcester County as more people learn about her commitment to ensuring that we equalize the playing field for working families and small businesses across Massachusetts," said Harney.

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