Edwards Campaign Press Release - Prominent Massachusetts Democrats Endorse John Edwards For President

Boston, Massachusetts – As Senator John Edwards visits Boston today to share his bold plans for change with supporters at a "Small Change for Big Change" grassroots fundraiser, prominent Massachusetts Democrats endorsed Edwards for president. More than 30 Democrats, including several state representatives, are supporting Edwards as the best candidate to change our country and build an America where every person has the opportunity to succeed.

Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger endorsed Edwards saying, "Most people agree with me that this year there are some very good choices to be the Democratic nominee for president. I—and the other elected and politically experienced people joining with me today—have concluded, however, that there is one truly exceptional choice among the candidates. John Edwards brings to this race the compassion, experience, integrity and vision to lift our nation from the failure of the past six years to truly become this century's first great American leader. And I and the others who join me in supporting him are committed to doing all we can to ensure he has that opportunity."

"John Edwards shares the vision of the Massachusetts Legislature that all people deserve quality, affordable health care and he wants to bring that vision to the entire country," said State Representative Steven Walsh. "He is concerned about the shrinking middle class, a result of declining salaries and rising costs for things like housing and education. John Edwards truly is the best choice for hard working families in the Commonwealth who want a more promising future. I am proud to support his candidacy and work with him to improve the lives of all Americans."

The Massachusetts Democrats endorsing Edwards for president are:

• Scott Harshbarger, former Massachusetts Attorney General, Democratic nominee for Governor, former national executive director for Common Cause; currently is Senior Counsel to the Proskauer Rose law firm
• Steven Walsh, State Representative - Lynn
• Michael Costello, State Representative - Amesbury
• John Keenan, State Representative - Salem
• Ron Mariano, State Representative - Norfolk
• Michael McGlynn, Mayor of Medford; former president of the Massachusetts Mayors Association
• Edward J. "Chip" Clancy, Mayor of Lynn
• Richard Howard, Mayor of Malden
• Thomas Ambrosino, Mayor of Revere
• Stephen Murphy, Boston City Council - At Large
• William R. Keating, District Attorney, Norfork County; former member of the Democratic National Committee
• Jon Blodgett, District Attorney, Essex County - Peabody
• James DiPaola, Sheriff, Middlesex County - Malden
• Paul Nowicki, Chelsea Councilor At Large, and four time President of the Chelsea City Council
• Kevin Greeley, Chairman, Arlington board of Selectman
• Dan Cahill, Lynn School Committee Member
• Jeff Newhall, Lynn School Committee Member
• John Ford, Lynn School Committee Member
• John O'Brien, Essex County Registrar of Deeds
• Colleen McGlynn, Chief of Staff to Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry
• Michael Goldman, former Senior Advisor to both the Dukakis for President and Bradley for President campaigns
• Michael McClaughlin, former Middlesex County Commissioner
• Donald Davenport, former chief of staff, Massachusetts Office of Attorney General
• William Tinti, senior managing partner, Tinti, Flynn, Grover And Fry; former Chief of Staff, Congressman Michael Harrington
• Michael Kogut, senior partner, Murtha,Cullinha; former Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Medicare Fraud Unit
• Alex MacDonald, partner, MacDonald, Rothweiler & Eisenberg
• Maureen Strafford, Arnold P. Gold Foundation Associate Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Tufts University and Tufts-New England Medical Center
• Diane Saxe, DNC member
• Ron Lipof, CEO, Wellness Community
• Vic DiGravio, Quincy
• Ann Sheinwald, Rockport