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 The endorsement season for the Fourth Middlesex Senate seat continues. On Sept. 15, Robert A. Havern III, who was Arlington's state senator until August 2007, endorsed Ken Donnelly.
"He is the right candidate at the right time," Havern, now a lobbyist for ML Strategies, wrote in an e-mail to YourArlington.
In a phone call, Havern said he is supporting Donnelly because "this is a complicated time ... a daunting time" for Massachusetts.
He cited the state's projected structural deficit, variously estimated at more $1 billion and as much as $1.5 billion.
In such a time, he said, the senatorial district needs someone with Beacon Hill experience. He said that is what Donnelly has.
Havern noted his own Arlington ties to the Donnelly family. In 1996 and
1967, the former senator played on an undefeated hockey team at
Arlington High School with Ken's brother, Steve. He said he has known Ken since that time.
Havern served as an Arlington selectman from 1978-1986 and as a state representative from 1987 to 1991. He was elected to the state Senate in 1990. Senator Havern resigned on Aug. 22, 2007, to join the legal strategies lobbying firm Mintz Levin, as the president of its Massachusetts Government Relations Practice.
On Sept. 11, The Boston Globe endorsed Donnelly. This followed Donnelly support on Sept. 9 in the Boston Herald and on Sept. in The Advocate. On Aug. 28, Sen. John Kerry announced his support for Donnelly.
Earlier, Arlington Selectmen Kevin Greeley said he is backing board colleague Jack Hurd while board Chairwoman Clarissa Rowe is supporting Donnelly. From the School Committee, Jeff Thielman is backing Donnelly. On Aug 31, Selectmen Annie LaCourt said she is not endorsing either Democratic candidate.
 "I'm supporting Jack Hurd for the seat," Greeley wrote Aug. 5. "I believe that he would be the best choice for Arlington. I have been very impressed with his ability to build coalitions to solve neighborhood concerns. He has earned my vote." A veteran selectman, Greeley is president Greeley Communications Inc.
Rowe made clear her support for Donnelly in a statement issued Aug.6 (see below).
Also supporting Donnelly are Selectman Diane Mahon. She wwrote to the Arlington e-mail list Sept. 1 that she and Rowe are co-coordrinators of his Arlington campaign.
The co-chairs of his campaign are Cindy Friedman, chief aide to state Sen. Jim Marzilli, and Bob Peters of Lexington, a state Democratic committeeman).
Rowe's statement:
"Like Jeff Thielman, I like and respect both Jack and Ken. I have worked with Jack for the last two and half years and have seen firsthand the good work he does for the Town of Arlington.
"However, the State Senate seat needs someone who will not have a longlearning curve this coming January. Ken Donnelly is my choice as the personto fill the seat. Ken is a leader who has already been working in Boston andon Beacon Hill to lobby for his causes. He has traveled the country andspent time in Washington DC to further the issues he cares about.
"This summer, when I was worrying about the Town's budget items in the BeaconHill Senate and House budgets, he assisted me by calling Senator SteveTolman and giving me reassurances that our items would be fairly treated. And they were. That access to existing friends in the State Senate is a big plus for Arlington. We need to have Ken carry on the progressive agenda that we all have worked so hard for these last 17 years."
Thielman provided an announcement, which is below.
Asked who he plans to endorse, state Rep. Will Brownsberger, Democrat of Belmont, wrote that he "consistently followed a policy of not endorsing candidates in neighboring local races."
State Reps. Sean Garballey and Jay Kaufman, both Democrats representing Arlington, have been asked who they support.
Thielman's statement:
"While I like and respect both candidates in this race, Ken Donnelly is my choice.
"A State Senator must advocate for the needs of the 4th Middlesex District (Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington and Woburn) as well as take a leadership role on a range of state-wide issues like health care, civil rights, education, aid to children and families in need, housing, and much more.
"When I asked Ken what he would do to help schools in Arlington and other towns in the district, he started with a traditional answer -- he'll work collaboratively with fellow Senators to bring more aid back to our communities. Then, he switched gears and told me about a much larger issue that impacts our state -- the educational achievement gap that exists between those who live in middle and upper income suburbs and those who live in lower income cities and towns across the state.
"Ken cares about all of us in Massachusetts, but he's particularly interested in making a difference in the lives of those who are left behind.
"As a labor leader for the past 22 years, Ken has worked with state legislators and local community leaders to write and pass legislation. Ken has management experience, both as a supervisor of firemen as well as the Chief Financial Officer of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of Massachusetts, a 12,000 member organization.
"What distinguishes Ken the most in this race is that he knows how state government works. In addition to testifying before legislators on multiple occasions, Ken is a Commissioner of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) and is one of the state's leading experts on pension reform, an issue that will be in front of the legislature for many years to come. He has been active in the state Democratic party for two decades. In fact, I first heard of Ken Donnelly when he seconded the nomination of a candidate for Governor at the 2002 Democratic state convention.
"Once elected, Ken's learning curve will be short. He is ready to go to work on our behalf on day one.
"Hubert Humphrey once said that 'the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.' Ken Donnelly understands the role of government. His values and his lifetime of public service have prepared him to continue the progressive leadership that has been the hallmark of the 4th Middlesex District's representation in the State Senate for the last 18 years.
"I'm confident that Ken will be a skillful advocate for social and economic justice in the Massachusetts State Senate. And, I like that Ken has put together a broad coalition of supporters who have competed against one another in past elections.
"Ken's campaign needs volunteers and financial support. To learn more, please visit http://donnellyforsenate.com/. Phone banks are taking place every evening, and we need people to hold signs, give money, and do all of the other important work needed to get this experienced activist elected. If you're interested in putting a lawn sign in front of your house, please let me know as well."
The primary Election Day is Tuesday, Sept. 16.
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