Hometown mayor wins endorsement for second spot on ballot

WORCESTER -- The three candidates for lieutenant governor yesterday won enough support to advance to September's Democratic primary, led by Worcester Mayor Timothy P. Murray, who earned the party's official endorsement.

The 37-year-old lawyer picked up 49 percent of the vote on the first ballot, just shy of the majority needed. He then won the endorsement on a voice vote, after he and the second-place finisher, Andrea Silbert, agreed to forgo a second ballot, which would have kept the delegates in the DCU Center into the evening.

Silbert (29 percent) and third-place finisher Deborah Goldberg (22 percent) were both able to win the support of more than the minimum 15 percent.

``I did not want to force delegates to stay any longer," Murray said. ``We have some momentum, and now we'll work toward getting our message out to a larger audience."

Silbert, 42, of Harwich, cofounder of an organization that helps women launch or expand their own businesses, outpolled the better-financed and better-known Goldberg, 52, of Brookline, whose family founded the Stop & Shop supermarket chain.

``I'm absolutely thrilled," said Silbert. `` As a first-time candidate with a full staff of two in a basement in Quincy, to come in second to the mayor of Worcester in Worcester is absolutely amazing. "

Goldberg said she, too, was happy with the results. ``We came into this today saying that anything over 15 percent, we would be delighted. Now we shift gears and work hard until September."

With the home court advantage and a strong base, Murray rolled over both rivals.

Murray had already racked up dozens of endorsements from party heavyweights, including US Representatives James P. McGovern and Richard E. Neal .

In March, he issued an eight-point ``municipal bill of rights" calling for a compact between state and local government that would limit property tax increases by boosting local aid.

In speeches before the delegates, all three Democrats took the opportunity to criticize the Romney-Healey administration, but Murray's jabs were the sharpest.

``For 16 years, the Republicans have snowed Massachusetts with empty rhetoric, while jobs, businesses, and thousands of people fled to other states," he told the delegates. ``For 16 years . . . disinterested and disengaged Republican administrations have left our cities and towns to fend for themselves."

Goldberg highlighted her experience in the family supermarket business and as a Brookline selectwoman.

``After 16 years of Republican governors, it is time to clean up the mess," Goldberg said. ``They've given us no leadership. They've shown no interest in the problems of people who have to work for a living.

``And getting the Massachusetts economy moving means getting the entire state's economy moving," she said. ``My experience in a business with stores in every corner of the state taught me that."

Goldberg, who served three terms as a selectwoman including one as chairwoman, has put more than $1 million of her own money into the campaign.

In the Secretary of State race, incumbent William F. Galvin easily beat voting rights activist John Bonifaz, winning the party's endorsement with 71 percent of the vote. Both will be on the September ballot.