Brookline's Tommy Vitolo Gets Another Endorsement For State Rep

BROOKLINE, MA —The board of a local advocacy group voted this week to endorse Tommy Vitolo's candidacy for state representative in Brookline as he makes a bid for the seat on the Democratic primary ballot Tuesday, September 4.

"As a longstanding Town Meeting member, Tommy Vitolo has introduced important local legislation showing his strong and broad progressive values—and passion—on many matters such as school safety, tobacco control, green energy, and public art. He has shepherded his bills through the legislative process, building coalitions and bridges. Tommy’s a skilled collaborator, negotiator, and leader. His experience and expertise will serve his constituents well on Beacon Hill, in our traditions personified by Frank Smizik, Cindy Creem, and Michael Dukakis.”said Marty Rosenthal, long-serving co-chair of the political advocacy group Brookline PAX, according to the campaign.

Representative Frank Smizik announced he intended to retire at the end of his term and within weeks also endorsed Vitolo, his former treasurer. Smizik is a former chair person for the Brookline PAX advocacy group which has been around since 1962. It's made up of some 40 board members, including Smizik, and Vitolo's campaign treasurer Neil Gordon as well as business leader Chobee Hoy and other Brookline residents.

Vitolo lives near Washington Street with his wife Jennifer and their two children. He has served as a Town Meeting Member since 2007 and Town Constable since 2010. He is currently a Senior Associate at Synapse Energy Economics, a research and consulting firm specializing in energy, economic, and environmental topics for public interest and governmental clients.

Vitolo is a member of Town Meeting’s Green Caucus and Recorded Vote Coalition, an elected Democratic Town Committee member and is active in the Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts’ Brookline chapter. He served as the Field Director for the "Yes for Brookline" campaign in 2015.

Vitolo said he was happy to have the Brookline PAX endorsement, calling it an organization that has fought for progressive values, in Brookline and beyond and praising the group's earlier endorsements of the Proposition 2 ½ budget override and the debt exclusion in years past.

Previously on Patch:

Brookline Resident Tommy Vitolo Kicks Off Campaign

Brookline Rep Frank Smizik To Retire, Who Will Run For It?

Brookline's Tommy Vitolo To Run For State Rep Seat

Former Brookline School Committee Member To Run For State Rep

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