Creem Racking Up Big Endorsements in Brookline and Beyond

Alan Khazei, the Brookline resident who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate Seat of Ted Kennedy last year, added his name to list of officials lined up in support of State Senator Cynthia Creem, who is running for re-election next month.

So far, the incumbent has scored the endorsements of Congressman Barney Frank, Governor Mike Dukakis, Newton Mayor Setti Warren and all five of Brookline's selectmen. Creem will compete with Newton lawyer Charles Rudnick for their party's nomination when voters head to the polls Sept. 14.

Khazei met with Creem on Thursday morning before beginning a tour to promote his new book, "Big Citizenship: How Pragmatic Idealism Can Bring Out the Best in America." In a statement, he pointed to Creem's record of progressive leadership as the reason for his endorsement.

"Senator Creem has consistently proven herself to be a champion on Beacon Hill for the issues that matter—education and local aid, health care and the environment, equality and transparency," Khazei wrote. "In her dedication to public service she has served Newton, Brookline, and Wellesley with distinction for over a decade."

Khazei is best known as the co-founder of City Year, a Boston-based nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement and social entrepreneurship among young people. He lives in Brookline's Pill Hill neighborhood with his wife and children.

Rudnick's campaign has relied far less heavily on endorsements, emphasizing the candidate's grassroots support instead.

"Charles has been running a grassroots campaign that is focused on talking to individual voters across the district," Campaign Director Nora Burnham said in an email. "He has knocked on thousands of doors and has received a great response: people want an alternative to business as usual.  His endorsements are coming from members of the community, not the political insiders."

Finance reports released by both campaigns late last month show Rudnick trailing far behind Creem in fund raising, forcing him to loan his campaign $15,000 of his own money in late May.

There is no Republican candidate for the seat, which represents Brookline, Newton and parts of Wellesley.