Former Gubernatorial Candidate Berwick Endorses Coakley for Governor

Thursday, September 18, 2014

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

Former Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Don Berwick is throwing his support behind the Democratic primary winner Martha Coakley in a gubernatorial battle against the Republican Charlie Baker.

After not getting enough votes to make it past Coakley or second place finisher Steve Grossman in the Massachusetts primary election, Berwick has made the decision that Coakley would make a far better governor than anyone else on the ballot for the November election.

“To all of you, I have one request now: join me in full support of Martha Coakley and the Democratic ticket on November 4th,” said Berwick in an email. “Although we do not agree on all of the issues, I have no doubt at all that the Commonwealth’s future will be in excellent hands in a Coakley Administration. I cannot say the same about the prospect of four years under Charlie Baker and the Republican Party.”

According to Berwick, the well-being of the Democratic Party lies in its “unapologetic and firm commitment to the progressive values that together we explored over and over again in this campaign.” Berwick believes that Coakley can help to champion the issues that the Democratic Party stands behind including: social justice, equality, and compassion in public policy.

Berwick also took the opportunity to thank all of the supporters of his campaign, saying that even though he ultimately wasn’t elected, a clear impact was made on a few key issues.

“We placed single payer health care on the map for our state and for the nation with more force than any prior political campaign in any state has managed to do,” said Berwick. “We stood firm in opposition to casinos for Massachusetts. We made the case for significant reforms in education, health care delivery, environmental stewardship, and criminal justice, as well as for world-class aims in our transportation system. And, most important to me, we highlighted poverty and inequality as the most important issues for our time, and articulated an agenda for the end of hunger, homelessness, and poverty in the Commonwealth. Together, we made it possible for candidates and the electorate to talk about these issues with heads held high.”

Related Slideshow: MA’s Biggest Political Comebacks in History

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Former Senator Ted Kennedy

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