Guv love for Sciortino
by Laura Kiritsy, Bay Windows
Jul 23, 2008
Anyone remember the last time a Democratic governor got involved in a Democratic primary race for a state representative seat?
If you can't it could be because prior to the election of Deval Patrick in 2006 Republicans had held the corner office for 16 years. But more likely it's because gubernatorial involvement in a legislative primary just doesn't happen very often, if ever. But Gov. Deval Patrick thinks state Rep. Carl Sciortino is so good that he turned out to stump for the candidate before a packed house at Sabur restaurant in Somerville on July 22. I mean, if the news reports and political gossip are to be believed, Patrick should be getting fitted for his Supreme Court Justice robe right about now, not hanging out in Teele Square. But as he has done consistently, Patrick reiterated that he plans to stay in the governor's office should his good friend Sen. Barack Obama win the White House in November. "Just so we're clear, since there are press here," he told the crowd, "I'm keepin' the job."
Lucky for Sciortino - who is facing a tough challenge from Somerville Alderman Bob Trane, on top of having to run a sticker campaign due to failing to submit the required number of nomination signatures into the Secretary of State's Office - since Patrick gave a glowing endorsement to the openly gay Medford Democrat, who is seeking a third term in the Somerville-Medford district.
Recalling Sciortino's speech in favor of marriage equality during the 2005 constitutional convention - back when he was just an aspiring governor - Patrick said that Sciortino struck him as statesmanlike rather than simply political. But he added that, as a legislator, "Carl has it all, and in addition to the statesmanship, he has a kindness about him and a thoughtfulness - a sense of where policy touches people - which I think makes him special. That is why I am here," the governor told the crowd, which included state Rep. Denise Provost, state Sen. Pat Jehlen and a handful of municipal elected officials from Medford and Somerville. "That is why I'm glad you are here."
Still, regardless of Patrick's respect and appreciation for Sciortino's collaboration on passing some of the governor's agenda items - securing marriage equality, closing corporate loopholes and the Green Line extension into the district, to name a few - it is a little unusual for a governor to get involved in a primary tussle between fellow party members. Nonetheless, Patrick made no bones about throwing his support behind Sciortino. "I'll tell you, Bob Trane's a good guy," said the governor in a quick interview as he headed off to another event, noting that Trane's brother Paul supported his gubernatorial bid, as did Sciortino.
"I've got a very special partner in Carl for the reasons I said inside," said the governor, "and I want to try to help where I can."