Senate Hopeful Khazei Campaigns in WMassStaff reports
iBerkshires
03:32PM / Tuesday, September 22, 2009
 | | Alan Khazei |
BOSTON — City Year founder Alan Khazei will tour Western Massachusetts — including a stop in Pittsfield — on Wednesday before announcing his bid for the Senate on Thursday.
He's already picked up a Berkshires endorsement from state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox.
"While I won't be able to be with Alan on Wednesday because I'll be at work at the State House, I strongly support Alan's candidacy," said Pignatelli in a press release. "He's the best person to represent the needs of Western Mass."
The Brookline resident will join the race for the Democratic nomination to fill the seat left by the death of the U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy last month. Attorney General Martha Coakley, a former North Adams resident, and U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano of Somerville have already thrown their hats into the ring.
The tour will include stops at organizations that are working to strengthen communities and empower citizens. It starts at 10 a.m. at Soldier On, 360 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield, an organization that helps homeless veterans.
Then it's on to the Treehouse Foundation in Easthampton, a support group for foster children, at 3 p.m. and meetings with Democratic and progressive activists at the Springfield Sheraton at 6:15. In between, he'll make unscheduled swing through North Adams.
Khazei's planning a "What Works" tour, an effort to identify solutions by talking with community members about the best practices they use to solve tough problems. The tour parallels the approach he has used in his work at City Year and Be the Change Inc., both nonprofits that promote volunteerism and community service.
Former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania will accompany Khazei to the scheduled events in Pittsfield, Northampton and Springfield.
"I look forward to traveling in the western part of the state to identify the best practices from organizations making a real difference in the lives of people," said Khazei. "This tour will give me the opportunity to witness examples of effective solutions being implemented by citizens across Massachusetts every day."
The Citizens for Alan Khazei campaign is circulating nominating papers for Khazei across the state. Khazei's formal campaign announcement is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, at the gazebo on Boston Common at noon.
A Democratic primary election will be held Dec. 8; the special election to fill Kennedy's seat is set for Jan. 19. Both houses of the General Court have passed legislation that would authorize the governor to select someone to fill the seat until the special election. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to choose someone by Thursday. |
