Dunne Expects Strong Support From Local Dems

Unlike Dave Gravel, Beverley Griffin Dunne hasn't been rolling out political endorsements in the days leading up to the April 2 special election, although she is expected to receive the support of the city's Democratic Committee.

New chairman Michael Schulze tells the Salem News the committee will be endorsing Dunne for State Representative of the 12th Essex District at a committee meeting on Wednesday.

Schulze acknowledged there may be little ideological difference between Dunne and Gravel and some local committee may still want to vote for Gravel, despite the endorsement. He said the committee, however, has to support a registered party member.

Until a couple years ago, Gravel was a lifelong Democrat, but is now unenrolled with the majority of Peabody voters. He does plan to caucus with the Democrats if elected.

For the record, the officers and chairpersons for the committee are now: Schulze (Chair), Deborah Ryan (Vice Chair), Jason Burnette (Secretary and Ward 1), Bernadette Smith (Treasurer), Michael Bon Bon (Diversity Officer), Dunne (Ward 2), TBD (Ward 3), Robert Driscoll (Ward 4), Richard Tranfaglia (Ward 5) and Ann Mitsopoulos (Ward 6).

Dunne told the Salem News that the local endorsement will smooth the way to more support from Democratic Party leaders on Beacon Hill and further, she believes the party is still strong in Peabody.

Campaign finance reports, which will detail individual donors, are due to the state Office of Political & Campaign Finance next week and will be available online shortly thereafter.

You can read the rest of the story from the Salem News here.