Sen. Ed Markey Endorses Two Local Candidates During Visit

WESTBOROUGH, MA — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey visited central Massachusetts on Wednesday bearing gifts for two candidates vying for seats on Beacon Hill.

In two events Wednesday, Markey — who just defeated a Democratic primary opponent to win reelection in 2020 — endorsed Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty Jr. in his bid for retiring state Sen. Harriette Chandler's seat, and Kate Donaghue, who is running for the new 19th Worcester state House seat.

Petty's endorsement came during an event at the Cellar Bar and Grille in Northborough. Donaghue's came at an event at the Bay State Green in downtown Westborough.

Of the two candidates, only Petty is competing in a primary race.

Robyn Kennedy, an executive at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, is also running for Chandler's seat. Progressive Massachusetts and the new Massachusetts Women for Progress PAC have endorsed Kennedy. Former governor Deval Patrick and Worcester Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Murray (also the former Worcester mayor) held a fundraiser for her earlier in June.

Donaghue's bid for the 19th Worcester seat is her first run for office. The well known local Democrat will face Southborough Republican Jonathan Hostage in November. The new seat created after the 2020 Census includes Westborough, Northborough, Southborough and a portion of Framingham.