Citing money, Galvin rules out a run for governor
Secretary of State William F. Galvin said yesterday he will not run for governor and instead will seek reelection to a fourth term, setting up a two-person battle for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination between Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly and former federal civil rights enforcer Deval Patrick.
Galvin said a major factor in his decision was his inability to compete with Reilly in fund-raising or to match the personal resources that Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey have to bolster their campaigns.
''Money is obviously a factor," Galvin said in an interview. ''Even with the $1.7 million I have raised so far, it is an issue, especially in an era of self-funders. We are seeing a trend across the country. . . . It makes it very difficult for people with average means to seek higher office."
Barring an unexpected entry in the race, Galvin's decision means that Democrats will have a choice in next September's party primary between Reilly, who is aiming his candidacy at moderates and independents, and Patrick, who seems to appeal strongly to the party's liberal activists wing.
''This finalizes the race," said Warren Tolman, the former Democratic state senator from Watertown and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1998. ''The train has left the station. The good news for Patrick is that he gets a one-on-one contrast with Reilly. The bad news is that Reilly has a huge lead."
Galvin would have cut into Reilly's voting base, Tolman said. ''They are Irish guys who live 2 miles apart from each other, who clearly would have attracted the same moderate Democrats."
It became clear in recent months that, with a late start, Galvin faced a difficult task in trying to raise the money he felt was necessary to challenge Reilly, who has accumulated $4 million in his campaign account over the last three years. Galvin did virtually no fund-raising until this fall.
Galvin acknowledged that he allowed Reilly to outpace him. ''I waited too long," he said. ''I should have done something earlier."
Galvin put a crimp in his fund-raising effort when he set a policy of sharply limiting donations from interests that do business with his office. Galvin's office regulates the securities industry, a potentially rich source of donations.
Soon after Reilly's reelection three years ago, he aggressively sought to build a campaign account, including raising funds from those who do business with his office. His donor lists show contributions from healthcare providers and insurers, auto dealers, liquor distributors, along with lobbyists and lawyers from firms whose clients frequently have matters before the attorney general.
Galvin's decision also dashes the hopes of Cameron F. Kerry, the brother of US Senator John F. Kerry, who launched a campaign for secretary of state last summer, but indicated he would drop the bid if Galvin sought reelection.
''I am obviously disappointed," said Kerry, who raised $125,000 in the last three months for his potential campaign. ''I was very excited about what you can do with the office. . . . I want to stay involved, but what form that takes, I don't know."
John C. Bonifaz, an activist lawyer and an advocate for election law changes, has said he would run regardless of Galvin's decision.
Galvin, a former state legislator from Brighton, is a savvy and enigmatic figure, and not always comfortable with the liberals who often dominate the Democratic Party. Four years ago, he pulled out of the governor's race when it became clear he could not get the necessary 15 percent of delegates to qualify for the primary ballot.
