Cindy Friedman continued to build momentum last week ahead of the June 27th special election primary in the race for the 4th Middlesex senate seat formerly held by the late Senator Ken Donnelly. Friedman earned a number of key endorsements, including support from 32BJ SEIU, the largest union of property service workers in the nation, and the Carpenters unions Local 26 and 111.
“I am deeply grateful to 32BJ SEIU and to Carpenters Local 26 and 111 for their support. These endorsements are particularly meaningful to me because of my longstanding commitment to defending workers’ rights. As Ken’s chief of staff, I fought alongside him to raise the minimum wage to $15 and hour, and I will continue that fight as state Senator,” Friedman said.
Friedman also won the endorsement of the Retired State, County And Municipal Employees Association Of Massachusetts (informally known as Mass Retirees) and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC).
In announcing their organization’s endorsement, Mass Retirees President Frank Valeri and Legislative Director Shawn Duhamel stated, “you’ve shown yourself to be not only knowledgeable on the issues of utmost importance to public retirees and survivors but also strongly committed to promoting their interests and getting results on their behalf in the state house.” (full text of endorsement statement)
MWPC Executive Director Sarah Welsh also lauded Friedman’s experience and advocacy. “As Chief of Staff for the late State Senator Ken Donnelly for nine years, Cindy brings keen understanding of the important issues that matter to residents in this district. Her diverse public advocacy for women’s rights, veteran issues, education, and healthcare is proof of this commitment. The Caucus is confident she is the best candidate to represent the district.” (full text of statement)
Friedman had already gained endorsements from the entire Donnelly family and from more than forty current and former elected officials, including a majority of both the Lexington and Arlington School Committee members and a majority of Arlington Selectmen.
The 4th Middlesex district includes Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Woburn and precincts 1,2 and 4-7 in Lexington.