QUINCY, Mass. — Suzanne Bump, the Democratic candidate for Massachusetts State Auditor, has been endorsed by MassEquality, a grassroots organization working to achieve full equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Bump is the first candidate for state auditor to have received an endorsement from MassEquality.

“This election is critical and we need candidates in office like Suzanne Bump who understand the importance of watching out for all citizens of the Commonwealth, including LGBT citizens,” said Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality. “Bump’s opponent signed a petition that sought to take away the rights of LGBT people to marry in Massachusetts. But Suzanne Bump is someone who, from early in her career, has been very supportive of LGBT people and MassEquality enthusiastically endorses her for state auditor.”

Bump, who won the Democratic nomination in a three-way primary on Sept. 14 with 50 percent of the vote, is the former Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development and is a former House Chairman of Commerce and Labor.

“Since 1985 I have been vigorously advocating on behalf of the LGBT community. I’m very grateful for MassEquality’s endorsement and their mission of equal civil rights has always been a major element of my own personal values,” said Bump. “My opponent, Mary Connaughton has chosen not to speak about her personal values, but as I see it, they have been clearly demonstrated through her actions. By signing anti-gay marriage petitions, Connaughton paints a fairly clear picture of her values.“

MassEquality’s endorsement is the latest in a series of statements of support for Bump from LGBT rights organizations, including the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus and the Bay Windows newspaper.

DALTON, Mass. — U.S. Rep. John W. Olver has endorsed Paul Mark, Democratic nominee for state representative in the 2nd Berkshire District. Olver, along with state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing and other members of the Democratic ticket, will host an event for Mark on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dalton
American Legion, at 258 North St.

"As our state representative, Paul will work on behalf of our most rural communities to improve the quality of life there and to encourage economic growth in sectors across his district," said Olver in a statement. "I believe Paul will work to ensure that residents of the 2nd Berkshire District have a strong representative at the table, as they have had with Rep. [Denis] Guyer."

Guyer is vacating the seat he's held for four years.

"Candidate Paul Mark has an impressive background, including a doctorate in law and policy. Throughout his campaign he has demonstrated independence and leadership, and he has presented a thoughtful, but multifaceted approach to dealing with our current economic challenges," continued Olver. "I expect Paul will utilize his education, resources and intuition to represent his constituents at the State House with great success."

"I'm proud to have the support of Congressman Olver. From his time as a state rep himself, through his years in Congress, he has been an invaluable voice for Western Mass," Mark said upon receiving the endorsement. "Just like Congressman Olver, I'm dedicated to having a presence throughout my sprawling district."

The 2nd Berkshire District is the largest and most rural in Massachusetts, and stretches from the New York to New Hampshire borders, much like Olver's Congressional district.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Former governor and Williamstown resident Jane Swift has endorsed Republican candidate Bill Gunn for the 1st Massachusetts District.

Gunn, a 48-year-old Ware roofing contractor, is hoping to oust Democrat John W. Olver in November. He's a registered Republican running on tea party principles, including repealing the federal health-care reform bill and limited government.

In her letter, Swift, who ran unsuccessfully against Olver in 1996, explained her reasons for endorsing Gunn. 

DALTON, Mass. — Dan Valenti, a local columnist and commentator, recently endorsed Tom Szczepaniak for state representative from the 2nd Berkshire District in "Planet Valenti," a column he writes for The Pittsfield Gazette.

In his column, Valenti writes:

If this election is about Szczepaniak's past, he wins. He withstood the anonymous attacks against his wayward youth with honesty and dignity. If anything, his checkered past signals character and integrity. You don't come back from the bottom unless those words mean more to you than bumper-sticker slogans. The indications point to the Mark campaign for sending the media the anonymous stink bombs on his opponent's legal past. Mark denies the charge. Nonetheless, they came from someone. Mark resembles Col. Mustard in the library with the candlestick. Beyond attacking Szczepaniak, Mark has offered voters little except to fetch water for the large public employee unions. Suriner, a Middlefield selectwoman and retired Episcopal priest, is not ready to move out of the lower minors of backwater local politics. Suriner, who would be eaten up in Boston, may use her loss as meditation fodder for evening vespers. The Planet endorses Szczepaniak.

SHELBURNE FALLS, Mass. — State Sen. Stan Rosenberg has endorsed Paul Mark, candidate for state representative in Tuesday's Democratic primary for the 2nd Berkshire district.

"Paul is a hard-working, intelligent person from a working-class background who would make a fine state representative," said Rosenberg. He said Mark has the energy to represent his sprawling district — the largest in the state. Rosenberg also commended Mark for
his understanding of the issues that face his rural district, from regional school district funding to innovation in agriculture and energy.

"As a fellow graduate of UMass-Amherst, Paul shares my dedication for supporting higher education," Rosenberg said, "and it's reflected in his endorsements from various educator groups."

Mark received his master's in labor studies from the university, along with a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University. "He's clearly got the right qualifications for the job," Rosenberg added.

"I'm excited to have the support of Senator Rosenberg, and I believe we would be natural allies in crafting policy that will benefit our shared districts," said Mark upon receiving the endorsement. "I especially aspire to mirror his advocacy on behalf of farmers in the State House."

Current Rep. Denis Guyer is vacating the seat for the 2nd Berkshire District, which shares many towns with Rosenberg's Franklin-Hampshire Senate district.