Multiple Candidates Seeking Party Endorsement At Mass. Dem. Convention

The Massachusetts Democratic State Convention got started Friday night in at the DCU Center in Worcester.Five Democrats are vying to take over for Governor Deval Patrick who is not seeking reelection after two terms.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley, state Treasurer Steve Grossman, biotech executive Joe Avellone, former federal healthcare administrator Don Berwick and national security expert Juliette Kayyem are looking to secure 15 percent of the delegates to be on the primary ballot in September. State Senator Ben Downing of Pittsfield was recently chosen to carry the Democrats’ message through the election cycle.

“Candidates who bring that energy and the ability to speak to individuals not traditionally within the political process,” Downing said. “I don’t think we’ve seen that just yet from these candidates for governor. Hopefully we will soon.”

Candidates for treasurer, attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor will speak in that order starting Saturday at 11 a.m. Endorsement voting will follow.