3 women's groups to endorse Patrick

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deval L. Patrick, seeking to capitalize on his advantage among women voters in this fall's campaign, is expected to receive the endorsement of three women's advocacy groups today.

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund, the Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization for Women, and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts plan to endorse Patrick, choosing him over Lieutenant Governor Kerry M. Healey, who is seeking to become the state's first female governor, according to Patrick's campaign.

``With so much at stake for reproductive rights, we really need a governor who will be a leader for women's health and privacy," said Melissa Kogut, executive director of the state NARAL chapter.

Patrick is scheduled to join leaders and members of the three groups at The College Club of Boston for a midday event to discuss women's health issues.

Healey angered NARAL and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts over the summer by refusing to fill out a questionnaire detailing her positions on abortion rights. She has said she favors abortion rights and insisted in a debate last month that she and Governor Mitt Romney had ``always disagreed on choice."

``This is political maneuvering on an issue that affects women's health and lives," Kogut said. ``We're supporting Deval Patrick because he'll be the kind of leader we can count on."

Kogut pointed out that NARAL has endorsed Republicans as well as Democrats. Its first-ever endorsement in a Massachusetts governor's race was for William F. Weld in 1990, she said.

In other developments yesterday, Patrick signaled that he may air negative advertisements as Healey continues to highlight his record on crime.

``We will respond as and when we have to," said Patrick, answering a reporter's question about whether he has a negative ad prepared. ``Listen, there's a whole lot that this administration and this lieutenant governor have to answer for," he said.

When asked about his strategy last week, Patrick told reporters he would not run attack ads against Healey. But Democratic strategists have been increasingly concerned that Healey is gaining ground against Patrick, who enjoys a double-digit lead in the polls.

Yesterday, Healey and her supporters continued to press Patrick on his advocacy on behalf of Benjamin LaGuer, a convicted rapist. A victims' rights advocate, Laurie Myers, recorded an automated telephone call criticizing Patrick for writing two letters to the Parole Board for LaGuer.

Patrick, Healey, and independent candidate Christy Mihos appeared yesterday at a breakfast organized by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Each candidate was asked to say something positive about his or her opponents.

Healey said that she has always thought ``Christy was enormously energetic and passionate."

She added that ``Deval Patrick is an eloquent speaker and has always inspired people to follow him and listen to him, and that's a genuine talent."

Mihos's assessment drew laughs from the crowd.

``I like Kerry Healey; we've been together socially," he said. ``She's very warm. She's not what they say she is, as stiff or anything like that."