U.S. Sen. John Kerry Endorses Joe Kearns Goodwin in Race for Third Middlesex

The following announcement was provided by the campaign for Joe Kearns Goodwin.

United States Senator John F. Kerry, Massachusetts' senior United States Senator and its top Democrat, today endorsed Joe Kearns Goodwin in the race for State Senate in the Third Middlesex District.

“I've known Joe almost all his life and I've seen up close the character and commitment he brings to life's big decisions, whether it was volunteering to serve in the military or committing himself to the cause of public service when he came home. He's a tremendous advocate who brings courage and passion to this endeavor and I know he's animated by the values that really make a difference in peoples' lives. I can already see how effectively Joe will bring his special skills and experience to the fight for seniors, children and working families in his district and in our state,” Kerry said.

“Joe's life is defined by service, whether it's the service that brought him to Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11 or the life of public service that will now help his community as state Senator. He will be an independent and passionate voice in the state Senate and I’m proud today to endorse his candidacy,” said Kerry.

Kerry is the 10th most senior United States Senator, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a senior Democrat on the Commerce, Finance, and Small Business Committees. In 2004, he was the Democratic Nominee for U.S. President. He volunteered to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts.

“Senator Kerry has spent his life serving our state and nation and standing up for working families in Massachusetts. I am honored to have his support and will work with him as state Senator to uphold our shared progressive values and ideals," said Goodwin.

Goodwin, 34, is a native of Concord and decorated U.S. Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent more than a year leading a platoon of 30 soldiers patrolling the streets of Baghdad, rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and working to contain growing violence. For his exemplary performance in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star. Later, he served in Afghanistan where he spent a year serving as a special advisor to the NATO Director of Strategic Communications.

The endorsement from Kerry adds to an impressive and growing list of prominent progressive Democrats and organizations standing with Kearns Goodwin.

Among others, Goodwin also received the endorsements of Vicki Kennedy, the wife of late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy; City Year Co-Founder Alan Khazei; state Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord), Senator Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield), and elected veterans including: Mayor Setti Warren (D-Newton), Representative Charley Murphy (D-Burlington); Representative Jim Vallee (D-Franklin and chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs); Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen); Senator Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury); Representative Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly);Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport) and Representative Harold Naughton (D-Clinton).