Making his first endorsement in a statewide Democratic primary since leaving the governor’s office, Michael S. Dukakis will declare his support for Michael E. Capuano in the US Senate race at an event today with Capuano in Brookline.
Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee, said in a statement that he chose Capuano for his record of public and constituent service as a Somerville mayor and congressman, and he recognized Capuano’s “courage and his conviction’’ in voting against the 2002 resolution to authorize war in Iraq.
The endorsement is the latest high-profile pledge for Capuano.
He was endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in mid-November and last week received an endorsement from Diane Patrick, whose husband, Governor Deval Patrick, has said he will remain neutral.
Capuano is running against Attorney General Martha Coakley, Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen G. Pagliuca, and City Year cofounder Alan Khazei in the Dec. 8 Democratic primary. They are vying to succeed Edward M. Kennedy, who died in August after nearly 47 years in office.
Dukakis was unavailable for an interview yesterday, but Capuano’s campaign issued a statement containing the remarks the former Massachusetts governor plans to deliver today, once he and Capuano disembark from a Green Line train at Brookline’s Washington Square stop. They are slated to meet voters at the nearby Washington Square Tavern, where Capuano will hold one of his “Open Mike’’ events at 3:30 p.m.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/29/dukakis_to_back_capuano_in_us_senate_race/