Wednesday morning Gov. Maura Healey announced that she is endorsing Rep. Christine Barber in the crowded race for the 2nd Middlesex District open state senate seat. It’s the second significant endorsement in two days for Barber; yesterday the sitting senator, Pat Jehlen, endorsed Barber.
“I’m really excited to endorse my friend, Christine Barber, for state senate,” said Healey in a video posted to Barber’s social media pages this morning. “Whether it’s making healthcare more affordable, building more housing, protecting reproductive freedom, or standing up for working families, Christine is always showing up ready to do the work.”
Barber currently serves as state representative in the 34th Middlesex district, a position she’s held since 2015. Other candidates in the 2nd Middlesex race include Vice Mayor of Cambridge Burhan Azeem, state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven and Somerville City Councilor Matt McLaughlin. Tom Hopcroft, who recently withdrew from the race, is also on the ballot.
“In some ways this is inevitable,” Azeem told Cambridge Day. “It just reaffirms what we already know, (Barber) is the statehouse candidate. Which isn’t necessarily a negative … I think it’s just unfortunate that you get rewarded for not questioning the system.”
The most contested race in Cambridge and Somerville, the 2nd Middlesex District includes all of Somerville and Cambridge residents in Ward 7, precinct 1; Ward 8, precinct 1; Ward 10 and Ward 11.
Cambridge Day has also reached out to Rep. Uyterhoeven and Councilor McLaughlin for comment.
The primary election will take place on Sept. 1
Brianna Earle is reporting this summer for Cambridge Day as part of a partnership with the Brandeis University journalism program.
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