Former Gubernatorial Candidate, State Senator Endorse Friedman For 4th Middlesex District

BEACON HILL, MA – Cindy Friedman, former chief of staff of late state Sen. Ken Donnelly, received the support of two area Democrats this week in her campaign to fill Donnelly's seat. Former gubernatorial candidate Don Berwick and former state senator Dan Wolf endorsed Friedman for the 4th Middlesex District seat in the special election.

"I am enthusiastically endorsing my friend and colleague, Cindy Friedman, as a candidate for the state Senate seat from the 4th Middlesex District in Massachusetts," Berwick wrote in a statement on Facebook. "She is exactly the type of clear-headed Progressive that we need in public office at this difficult time. Her extensive experience as a teacher, activist, manager, and - for 10 years - Chief of Staff to the late, great Senator Ken Donnelly equip her for effectiveness as a state Senator from Day One."

Berwick, an advocate for high quality health care and former president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, ran for governor in 2014. He also served as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In his own endorsement of Friedman, former state senator Dan Wolf wrote, "Cindy Friedman will lead with the heart, soul, and vision that the people of Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington, and Woburn became accustomed to with the leadership of the late Senator Ken Donnelly. Ken was one of my dearest friends from my time in the legislature, and I cannot think of a more qualified and dedicated public servant than Cindy to continue Ken’s commitment to his communities and the progressive agenda."

Billerica Selectman Kim Conway, who serves in a community represented by the seat, also said Friedman "will do a great job representing Billerica."

Friedman will face fellow Democrats Rep. Sean Garballey of Arlington and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Mary Ann Stewart of Lexington. The first debate between the three candidates will take place Thursday, June 8 at Billerica Town Hall. Massachusetts State Democratic Committee member Steve O'Leary will moderate. Lowell Sun managing editor Tom Zuppa and WCAP radio host Ted Panos will be the debate's "media panel."

The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be aired on Billerica Access Television and streamed online. It is open to the public.

Voters will take to the polls for a June 27 special Democratic primary between Garballey, Friedman, and Stewart. The general election for the 4th Middlesex District seat is July 25. Ian Jackson, a Green-Rainbow Party candidate, had also had filed papers to run.

Patch File Photo