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Capuano winning the drop-out vote

E-mail|Link|Comments () October 19, 2009 12:29 PM

By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff

US Representative Michael Capuano may be trailing Attorney General Martha Coakley in the polls, but he's winning so far among Senate race drop-outs.

US Representative Michael Capuano

US Representatives Stephen Lynch and John Tierney, both of whom exited the Senate race before it really began, are giving their backing to their congressional colleague. Lynch, of South Boston, is scheduled to endorse Capuano tonight at Amrhein's, a restaurant in Lynch's district, according to Capuano's campaign.

This morning, Tierney announced his support for Capuano at a Lynn deli.

"I am supporting Mike ... because I know how hard he works to stand up for middle-class families, to achieve affordable, universal health care, and to create jobs here in Massachusetts," said Tierney, of Salem. "There is no other candidate in this race who can match his work ethic, his years of legislative experience, and his steadfast commitment to his principles and professive beliefs."

Meanwhile, Coakley continues to rack up piles of state, local, and labor endorsements. Last week she announced the support of 86 Massachusetts legislators and another key union, the district council of the Service Employees International Union.

Also today, the Republican field is one candidate thinner: Canton Selectman Robert Burr, who was one of the first candidates to announce he would run, is dropping out of the race, saying he did not collect the signatures required. The GOP's hopes rest on state Senator Scott Brown of Wrentham.