Word is bond: Galluccio supporters stick with their man

By George P. Hassett

    Jarrett Barrios‚Äô decision to end his candidacy for Middlesex County District Attorney and seek re-election to the state Senate has created a reverse domino effect with many candidates, such as Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan, pulling out of the race.
    But one domino that has yet to fall is Cambridge City Councilor Anthony Galluccio. That could be the result of his original support holding him up and remaining with him despite Barrios‚Äô entry. Many of those supporters have even worked for or endorsed Barrios in the past.

    U.S. Congressman Michael E. Capuano, D-Cambridge, will continue his support of Galluccio, said Capuano‚Äôs Press Secretary Alison Mills this week, while Tony Hernandez, a union organizer and leader in Chelsea‚Äôs Hispanic community, is also supporting Galluccio. Hernandez worked for Barrios four years ago when Barrios originally defeated Galluccio for the Senate seat that meanders across three counties ‚Äì Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk ‚Äì and six cities ‚Äì Somerville, Cambridge, Boston, Revere, Everett and Saugus.
    ‚ÄúJarrett chose to run for a different office and I supported him for D.A., then he decided he no longer wanted that office,‚Äù said Hernandez. ‚ÄúI had already made a commitment to Anthony what am I supposed to do, go back on my word? Jarrett tried to persuade me to do that but I never considered going back. The only thing I have in this world is my word.‚Äù
     Hernandez said both Barrios and Galluccio could be counted on to advocate for the rights of blue collar workers, but his decision was easy.
     ‚ÄúWhen I make a commitment, I make a commitment. Anthony can do just as well as Jarrett did,‚Äù he said.
     Hernandez joined other notable Barrios supporters who have kept their pledge to support his opponent in this election. Everett City Councilors Michael Mangan, Stephen Smith, Rosa DiFlorio and Revere City Councilor Dan Rizzo have each worked for or endorsed Barrios in the past but are working with Galluccio this time around.   
     Barrios said he understood why people such as Capuano and Hernandez would continue their support for Galluccio.
     ‚ÄúI‚Äôm disappointed, I would have liked to have the support of the congressman but loyalty is a noble sentiment and it is totally reasonable they would stand by their endorsements,‚Äù he said.
     Barrios said he was not ready to announce his endorsements, instead he said he will draw attention to his 4 years of experience in the Senate.
     ‚ÄúPeople know I have been an effective legislator who works to push progressive principles in the legislature while giving a voice to the people in our society who feel they do not otherwise have a voice. Whether it is the elderly, immigrants or just regular working people who feel left out, they know I will always listen,‚Äù said Barrios.
    Galluccio also touted his commitment to advocating for the underprivileged, but said that was not the biggest difference between the two candidates.
    ‚ÄúThe biggest difference right now is I want this job. Each community in this district faces major, long-term challenges in public education, health care, and deteriorating public infrastructure,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúThus far, I am the only candidate who has demonstrated a desire to stick around for the long haul to help this district. That is the biggest difference in the race.‚Äù
     Aside from Galluccio and Barrios, there had been two other candidates ‚Äì City Planner Stephen Winslow and Everett City Councilor John Leo McKinnon — in the race,  but neither was expected to compete with the two Cambridge politicians. In fact, McKinnon dropped out of the contest Monday and endorsed Galluccio while Winslow is expected to withdraw soon.
      Carlo DeMaria, the alderman from Everett who finished third behind Galluccio and Barrios in the 2002 Senate race, is also endorsing Galluccio.
      Though the list of his endorsements may be long, Galluccio said it is not what his campaign is about.
      ‚ÄúThe numerous endorsements are not going to be what gets me elected. My focus is on continuing to show voters that I am the candidate who is committed to helping the people of this district,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúEndorsements don‚Äôt get you elected.‚Äù