MA Sierra Club Announces Municipal Election Endorsees

News Release: November 2, 2011

33 Candidates Statewide Recognized and Supported

Boston, Cambridge, Fitchburg, Saugus, Somerville, Springfield, Watertown, Worcester

[Boston, Ma] – The Massachusetts Sierra Club announced their list of endorsed candidates for the MA municipal races. After asking candidates to fill out questionnaires, interviews, and extensive independent research, the Sierra Club has endorsed candidates who will further the work of protecting the environment, support better transportation options, reduce global warming emissions, and help push Massachusetts forward into the new “Green economy.”

Announcing their endorsement of true environmental leaders, the Sierra Club hopes both to promote these legislators visibility with a ‘stamp of approval’ as well as encourage other legislators, to step up their efforts and do even more to protect citizens’ health, safety and the Commonwealth’s natural resources.

“Municipalities represent the front line on many critical environmental issues,” said Phil Sego, Political Chair of the MA Sierra Club. “Opportunities must be seized, prospects must be created, and none will succeed without follow-through.”

“The Sierra Club looks forward to working with these candidates in the coming months and years to take real, necessary, steps on environmental issues, reducing our reliance on oil, protecting our air and water quality, and other issues that affect the quality of life and health of residents."

The Sierra Club, noted for their high-profile national positions, is also deeply rooted in local, regional, and statewide issues. Their endorsement process includes in-depth research and careful analysis of a questionnaire designed specifically to address local environmental issues. The Club’s endorsement is then communicated to its members, which currently number greater than 20,000 statewide.

The Massachusetts Sierra Club has endorsed the following candidates.

Boston

Ayanna Pressley - At-Large

Felix Arroyo - At-Large

John R Connolly - At-Large

Michael F Flaherty - At-Large

Stephen J Murphy - At-Large

Suzanne Lee - District 2

Tito Jackson - District 7

Mike Ross - District 8

Mark Ciommo - District 9

Cambridge (alphabetical order):

Henrietta Davis

Craig Kelley

Matt Nelson

Denise Simmons

Sam Seidel

Tim Toomey

Minka VanBeuzekom

Fitchburg

Lisa Wong – Mayor

Saugus

Sean Maltais - Board of Selectmen

Somerville

Christine Barber - Alderman Ward 4

Rebekah Gewirtz - Alderman Ward 6

Katjana Ballantine - Alderman Ward 7

Bill White - At Large Alderman

Dennis Sullivan - At Large Alderman

Springfield

Amaad Rivera - At Large

Michael Fenton - Ward 2

Melvin Edwards - Ward 3

Watertown:

Susan Falkoff

Tony Palomba

Vincent J Piccirilli

Mark Sideris

Worcester

Sarai Rivera, Worcester City Council, District 4

Jim Kersten, Worcester City Council at Large

Joe O’Brien, Worcester City Council at Large