The Massachusetts state primary is Sept. 3, and Newton has two competitive races, with state representatives Kay Khan and Ruth Balser retiring.
Khan and Balser have been in office for decades, and suddenly having two open state representative seats has stirred up excitement in Newton and Brookline. And excitement translates to both campaign donations—which we looked at last week—and endorsements.
Only the race for Khan’s seat has a Republican candidate, so the race for Balser’s seat will end with the primary.
So which Democrats are raking in endorsements from whom? Here’s a rundown, though certainly not a complete list, of each Democratic primary candidate’s big backers.
11th Middlesex
Amy Sangiolo is a former city councilor and an attorney who works in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. Her experience has brought her connections with an array of local and state officials.
Sangiolo’s endorsements include State Sen. Cynthia Creem, former State Treasurer Steve Grossman, current State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Newton’s police and firefighter unions, Josephine McNeil (chair of Uniting Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton) and retired Village Bank vice president and local Sue Paley.
Sangiolo is also endorsed by most of the members of the Newton City Council.
“Amy was always someone I could discuss issues with and her insights helped make me smarter,” City Council Vice President David Kalis wrote in his endorsement of Sangiolo. “Her communication with colleagues and constituents was thorough, and she had the interpersonal skills to understand when to push, when to back off, and when to close the deal. She’ll deliver for her constituents because she’ll work well with colleagues. It’s often the soft skills that make the difference, and Amy has them.”
Alex Jablon, 28-year-old financial auditor for Raytheon, is running his first-ever campaign for elected office. He doesn’t have any endorsements listed on his website.
That’s not unheard of when a newcomer goes up against a seasoned veteran. But he’s been raising money, and there are signs on lawns around Newton backing his campaign, so there is support out there for him in the district.
“I decided not to focus on endorsements and spending all of my free time with voters on the doors, as opposed to with elected officials to try and get their endorsements,” Jablon said. “I do have a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate designation. Other than that, I don’t have any.”
12th Middlesex
The race for Balser’s seat has three Democrats and no Republicans, so the primary will be the de facto general election for that seat.
City Councilor Bill Humphrey is positioned as the race’s more progressive candidate, and it shows in his endorsements. He’s endorsed by Mass Alliance, Progressive Massachusetts, Reproductive Equity Now (formerly NARAL), Bay State Stonewall Democrats and Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts.
Humphrey is backed by several unions, including the Service Employees International Union (state and local), the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, United Autoworkers Region 9A, the Newton Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Techers Association.
He also has endorsements from former city councilors Alicia Bowman, Brenda Noel and Holly Ryan.
“Bill Humphrey knows Massachusetts can do more to live up to its progressive reputation and that our legislature can’t coast forever on past successes. Bill’s proven determination to help shape a political vision for a better future for everyone made him the clear choice for the Progressive Massachusetts members’ endorsement in the 12th Middlesex House race,” Progressive Massachusetts Policy Director Jonathan Cohn wrote in his endorsement of Humphrey.
City Councilor Rick Lipof, also running for the 12th Middlesex seat, has the police and firefighter unions of both Newton and Brookline endorsing him as well as the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and the Israeli-American Civic Action Network.
Lipof is also endorsed by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, former State Treasurer Steve Grossman, several current city councilors, a few past city councilors and aldermen (including his sister, former City Council Vice President Cheryl Lappin, who probably would have had some explaining to do if she had endorsed either of his opponents), past and present Newton School Committee members and multiple Brookline town officials.
“Rick has tremendous experience that will serve the people of Brookline and Newton well. He is the right person to not only deliver the resources and services our communities need but will fiercely advocate for our shared priorities,” Treasurer Goldberg wrote in her endorsement of Lipof. “As a resident of the District myself, I understand firsthand how important it is to have Rick in the State House fighting for all of us!”
And lastly, former City Councilor Greg Schwartz has the endorsement of the sitting 12th Middlesex state representative herself, Ruth Balser.
“After serving 13 terms in the State Legislature, I decided to retire at the end of this year. In reflecting on who would be the best person to succeed me, Greg Schwartz stood out as the ideal choice,” Balser said. “As a practicing clinician, former Newton City Councilor-at-Large, and dedicated community advocate, Greg is the experienced leader we need on Beacon Hill. I wholeheartedly endorse his campaign and hope you will join me in supporting him for State Representative.”
Schwartz is also endorsed by several Newton city councilors and area councilors as well as several Brookline town officials.
