McGovern endorses Eldridge
Matt Lynch, MetroWest Daily News, 5/10/08

MARLBOROUGH — United States Rep. James McGovern yesterday endorsed state Rep. Jamie Eldridge, a fellow Democrat, in Eldridge's bid for a state Senate seat.

Eldridge, of Acton, hopes to succeed state Sen. Pam Resor, an Acton Democrat, in the district that includes Marlborough, Hudson, Southborough, Westborough and part of Northborough.

"He's a workhorse, not just a show horse," said McGovern, D-3rd. "He has championed the right issues and will do the right thing in the state Senate."

Eldridge is the only Democrat to announce a state Senate candidacy and will face Marlborough Republican Steven Levy.

Several local officials, including School Committee members Kathleen Robey and Michelle Bodin-Hettinger and City Councilor Donald Landers, attended the event yesterday afternoon at Coral Seafood restaurant.

"I'm very pleased to bring Jamie here because he is the candidate to succeed Pam Resor in a very important position to the region and the community," said City Councilor Edward Clancy.

Eldridge listed education aid, infrastructure and economic development as the most important issues facing the region.

"As a state representative, it was all about investing in the communities I represent," he said.

The endorsement wasn't without some old-fashioned partisan sniping, as Republican City Councilor Paul Ferro passed out fliers calling McGovern's endorsement the "kiss of death," citing the losses of two

Marlborough City Council candidates endorsed last November by McGovern.

"If Mr. McGovern's previous track record of endorsements here is any indication, candidates should avoid him like the plague," wrote Ferro, chairman of the city's Republican Committee.

Local Democrats were less than impressed.

"I'm surprised (the flier) wasn't signed by Sen. Larry Craig," said Tom Hill, chairman of the city's Democratic Committee, referring to the Idaho Republican who made headlines in an airport bathroom scandal.