Wednesday, November 02, 2005

This just in: progressive icon and former mayoral candidate Mel King has endorsed Maura Hennigan for mayor.

Hard to say how much this will help Hennigan on November 8. As compelling a figure as he is, King is probably unfamiliar to many new Bostonians. And the vast majority of Boston's black political establishment is squarely in Tom Menino's corner. Still, King's imprimatur should give Hennigan more of a boost than the nod she got from city councilor Charles Yancey yesterday afternoon.

One especially interesting detail: King is apparently featured in a Hennigan radio spot that debuted today on several radio stations with heavy African-American listenership, as well as an automated Hennigan campaign call.

Here's the full press release from the Hennigan campaign. (I can't wait to hear Hennigan's "clean and deep" spoken-word rhyme...)

"History in the making: Former mayoral candidate Mel King endorses Hennigan

JAMAICA PLAIN--Former Mayoral Candidate and State Representative Mel King gave his endorsement to Maura Hennigan's campaign to become the first female Mayor of Boston this week. King, a former State Representative who ran for Mayor in 1983 in a historic campaign under the Rainbow Coalition, has endorsed Hennigan because he believes she will provide the leadership and the courage needed to make a better Boston.

"I believe Maura Hennigan cares about all of us," said King. "As Mayor, she will continue to work with Councilors Turner, Yancey and Arroyo on important issues--like improving our schools, safeguarding our streets, and stopping the dangerous Bio Terror lab. Maura Hennigan has the courage to speak truth to power, and for that I am giving her my support in this race."

Since retiring from political office, King has been a highly involved and accomplished community activist. King founded the South End Neighborhood Action program, a social service organization dedicated to helping families and providing job training and counseling, as well as the South End Technology Center, which has become a model for non-profit tech centers throughout the city.

This year's mayoral contest has many similarities with King's 1983 run. In the history of the city, Boston has never been led by anyone but a white male; King as a black man and Hennigan as a female are both precedent-setting candidates.

"I am thrilled to have the support of such a well-respected political leader and community activist as Mel King," said Hennigan. "Mel started a movement which stood for unity, diversity, and working together--and I hope to return the city to those values as the next Mayor of Boston."

King's endorsement gives Hennigan the opportunity to be victorious by tapping into an electorate, composed primarily of communities of color and poorer neighborhoods, that has become larger, more powerful, and more mobilized since 1983. With King's support, along with that of the Black Political Task Force and Councilor Charles Yancey, as well as numerous other ministers and community leaders, years of effort spent registering and educating young voters and voters in communities of color will come to fruition, establishing a historical precedent of leadership in Boston.

King has taped a radio commercial and an auto call for Hennigan's campaign, and he will be running ads in the Bay State Banner and other papers in support of her candidacy. The full airing of the radio commercial airs began Wednesday on WILD, WBOT and WEZE.

King and Hennigan are also sponsoring a political open mic, "Revolution," to raise awareness of the November 8th election among youth. The event will take place on Monday, November 7th, from 5 to 8pm at the George Hernandez Cultural Arts Center on 85 West Newton Street.

The event challenges spoken word artists of all ages to explain why it is important to vote and advocate for political change in Boston through "clean and deep" spoken word rhymes. A $250 prize is offered to the winner.

"We gain power through voting," said King. "I want to get our youth excited about this Mayoral race and the political process in general; I want them to realize the power of the vote that they hold."

For more information about the Revolution open mic, please contact Joshua Estrada (617-553-8078) or the Hennigan Campaign (617-522-2005)."

11/2/2005 4:01:00 PM by Adam | Comments [0] |