Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is taking sides in the race for state attorney general.Patrick on Thursday announced that he is endorsing former state Sen. Warren Tolman, who faces former assistant attorney general Maura Healey in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
It is the first time Patrick, who is not seeking re-election as governor, has thrown his backing behind a candidate in a contested statewide primary.
In a statement, the governor praised Tolman as someone who would be an "activist" attorney general.
John Walsh, who heads Patrick's political committee, said the endorsement was not a negative reflection on Healey and that the governor would strongly support whoever wins the primary.
Healey said in a statement that she had never expected the "Beacon Hill establishment" to line up behind her campaign.
The Democrat who wins the primary will face Republican John Miller.
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