In the heated battle over the Democratic nomination for the Middlesex 10th district seat–which includes a sliver of Newton in the village of Nonantum–Gov. Maura Healey is throwing her political weight behind incumbent John Lawn.
“John is a thoughtful, proven leader who gets things done for working families,” Healey said in a statement sent out over the weekend. “He’s led the fight to keep health care accessible and affordable, and he’s been a steady partner as we push back against Trump’s attacks on the programs our families rely on. It’s why I appointed him to my Health Care Affordability Working Group, and I’m proud to endorse him for re-election.”
The health care angle to her endorsement is noteworthy, because it comes just days after Healey voiced support for single-payer healthcare in Massachusetts, which Lawn’s primary opponent–Newton City Councilor Alison Leary–is promising to push for if she’s elected.
“I’m honored to have Governor Healey’s support,” Lawn said. “Together, we’ve fought to protect access to affordable health care and stand up for working families here in Newton and across the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing that work for another term.”
Lawn is also supported by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, who also supports single-payer health care, as well as several city councilors and Newton’s other two state representatives. Several organizations have also endorsed him, including the Planned Parenthood Advocacy
Fund, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the
National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare
Workers East and Reproductive Equity Now.
Leary is endorsed by several progressive groups including MassAlliance, Act on Massachusetts, Abundant Housing Massachusetts and Massachusetts Peace Action and 350 Massachusetts, as well as several city councilors.
The road to this primary has been peppered with ugliness. Last month, the candidates sparred in a Charles River Regional Chamber event that included jabs over housing policy, accusations of shady record-keeping and a comment that has had Leary fielding angry backlash from Nonantum ever since. And last year, Lawn made headlines when he was arrested for, and pleaded guilty to, driving drunk.
Lawn has served in the legislature since 2013.