Deval Patrick and Timothy Murray to pair again at fundraiser for Robyn Kennedy, state Senate race foe of Mayor Joseph Petty

WORCESTER — The most recent Democratic pair to lead the state, Deval L. Patrick and Timothy P. Murray, are hosting a fundraiser for Robyn K. Kennedy, a candidate for state Senate.

The former governor and lieutenant governor are siding with Kennedy over her main primary opponent, Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty.

Kennedy and Petty are seeking to succeed state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester, who is not running for re-election in the 1st Worcester District.

The primary is Sept. 6. The general election is Nov. 8.

Kennedy, an executive for YWCA of Central Mass., confirmed that Patrick and Murray will be hosting an event for her candidacy at Carrie Nation Restaurant and Cocktail Club in Boston on the evening of June 16.

"I'm really incredibly honored that former Gov. Deval Patrick and former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, both of whom I've had the honor and privilege of working for for many years in the executive office are hosting a fundraiser for me in support of my campaign for the state Senate," Kennedy said.

Plenty of support

In addition, Kennedy said that alumni of the Patrick administration have given her supportive feedback following news of the fundraiser spreading.

The fundraiser news is the latest development in the bid to succeed Chandler. It has been a key race in Worcester and Central Mass. politics this election.

Kennedy worked for both Patrick and Murray's offices during their tenure leading the state. Kennedy served as deputy director of appointments for Patrick's office before jumping to a role as deputy chief of staff and a policy advisor for Murray for five years.

"I was able to not only learn from (Murray) on the nuts and bolts of government," Kennedy said, "But really learn from both the governor and lieutenant governor about how (state) government can and should work for people."  

Reached out to Murray

That experience in the executive office transferred into Kennedy's community work in Worcester, Kennedy said. She added that she continued to work with Murray on community matters and reached out to Murray when she decided to run for state Senate.

Kennedy said that both Patrick and Murray have had the opportunity to witness her work ethic during her time with the administration.

In the months following Kennedy's campaign announcement in March, she said that her campaign has focused on door-to-door contact with constituents, knocking close to 4,000 doors in the district.

"I'm really encouraged by the support I'm receiving on the doors as I'm talking directly to voters," Kennedy said. "It's been a great experience so far."

As of early May, Petty had a fundraising advantage over Kennedy, according to records from the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Both had received financial contributions from prominent state and regional political and economic figure. On May 2, Petty's campaign committee reported $72,408 cash on hand, and on May 4, Kennedy's campaign reported $30,326 on hand.

An open race

When asked about how spreading the word of her candidacy has been as she faces a longtime Worcester leader in Petty, Kennedy emphasized that she is running in an open race for a state Senate seat for a position with a specific skillset and that personal conversations have been key.

"My opponent and I are both making our case of why we would be best in that role," Kennedy said. "For me it's been about conversations with the voters. It's mostly happening on the door, but it's in living rooms, it's in small gatherings and some bigger events."

Kennedy said her candidacy has picked up momentum and she is feeling great about the September primary based on feedback. She added that voters have also started to pay attention as big issues have arisen, referencing the leak of a draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade as an example.

Patrick, who also unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, served as governor from 2007 to 2015. Murray served as lieutenant governor from 2007 to 2013.

In addition to his tenure as lieutenant governor, Murray served as mayor of Worcester from 2002 to 2007 and remains a major leader in Worcester as the current president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The 1st Worcester District covers West Boylston, Boylston, Northborough, Berlin, Bolton and part of Worcester.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Deval Patrick and Timothy Murray to pair again at fundraiser for Robyn Kennedy, state Senate race foe of Mayor Joseph Petty