Chang-Diaz racks up progressive backing
State Sen. Sonia ChangDiaz continues to rack up endorsements — including 13 more from progressive state and local lawmakers across the state — in her bid for governor in the upcoming 2022 race, her campaign announced.
“I’m proud to be endorsed by these strong local leaders and progressive champions across Massachusetts,” Chang-Díaz said. “I know firsthand that winning real change takes a strong, grassroots coalition in every community across our state. Together, we are building the movement to take back the Governor’s office in 2022 and tackle our state’s biggest challenges. This is what real change looks like.”
Chang-Diaz earned endorsements from Springfield Sen. Adam Gomez — the only other person of color in the state Senate — and other progressives, including Leominster Democrat Rep. Natalie Higgins.
The new slate of endorsers features state lawmakers, city councilors and School Committee members hailing from Greater Boston to Pittsfield, who praised Chang-Díaz’s decade-plus experience crafting and delivering Massachusetts’ biggest progressive reforms.
Tuesday’s announcement brings the Jamaica Plain Democrat’s total endorsements to 25 as her Democratic opponents have lagged.
Former state Sen. Benjamin Downing and political adviser turned Harvard Prof. Danielle Allen, who are both running, don’t list endorsements on their campaign websites.
Quincy Democrat Scott Khourie, who is also running, doesn’t have a website at all.
Republican candidate Geoff Diehl took home the highest-profile endorsement to date earlier this month when he snagged former President Donald Trump’s approval.
Other Republicans who have filed for candidacy —
Lowell politician Darius Mitchell, and Quincy resident Kimberly Duffy — also have yet to set up websites. Dianna Ploss, who is also running, lists no endorsements.
Daniel Mulcare, chairman of Salem State University’s political science department, said Chang-Diaz’s early endorsement-heavy campaign strategy is a ploy to “boost name recognition” and drum up support “in anticipation of (Attorney General Maura) Healey jumping in the race.”
Healey, a Democrat, is widely thought to be considering a bid for governor and would provide a moderate balance to Chang-Diaz’s bold brand of progressivism.
Gov. Charlie Baker also has yet to say if he’ll seek a third term despite telling reporters in early July that he’d make a decision on reelection “soon.”