Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren officially endorsed incumbent Boston Mayor Martin Walsh Sunday — with just under three weeks until Election Day.
Warren said she is supporting Walsh for reelection because of the basic core values they share, in addition to his goals to make Boston an inclusive city for all residents, as well as one where every individual can thrive, according to a press release from Walsh’s campaign team.
“He’s building a city that works well for everyone,” Warren said in the release. “Whether it is building housing at a record pace to meet needs, ensuring our children are receiving the best education possible, or making Boston a place where every person, no matter who they love or where they come from know they have a home here in this city.”
In the past, Walsh and Warren have worked together to improve the livelihood of Boston residents, collaborating on issues such as women’s equity in the workplace and fair housing, according to the release.
Michael Dukakis, political science professor at Northeastern University, former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate, wrote in an email to The Daily Free Press that Warren’s endorsement wasn’t unexpected, as the politicians hold similar values.
“I don’t think there is anything surprising about Elizabeth’s endorsement of the Mayor,” Dukakis wrote. “They have worked closely together. They share a lot of the same views and political philosophy.”
While endorsements may play a role in determining which candidate comes out on top, they are not the most important aspect to consider in an election, he added.
“Personally, I think thorough precinct by precinct organization is a lot more important than endorsements,” Dukakis wrote. “That’s how Marty won for mayor the first time, and that’s how Elizabeth [Warren] beat [Scott] Brown.”
Kenneth Cosgrove, associate professor in the department of government at Suffolk University, wrote in an email that Warren stands to gain political ground for her own election as a result of endorsing Walsh for mayor.
“She’s going to need help from Mayor Walsh to win her own re-election bid,” Cosgrove wrote. “Marty Walsh has strong union ties and unions are very helpful in providing some financial support to campaigns but also for providing their members to do things like door knock, do standouts or leafletting.”
Although Warren’s decision is not a shocking one, Cosgrove wrote, it sends the message that Walsh is also supported by other members of the progressive community, and is viewed as being an acceptable choice for mayor.
Endorsements matter in elections because they act as signaling devices to show support to specific audiences and give credibility to the endorsed, Cosgrove wrote.
“The number of endorsements matters less than getting them from endorsers who have credibility and ideally assets like human capital for get out the vote drives or extensive mailing lists useful for fundraising purposes,” Cosgrove wrote. “This is a really good get for Mayor Walsh.”
Despite Walsh’s apparent lead, Cosgrove wrote, many progressives would like to see Jackson emerge as the new leader of Boston come election day.
“Boston is one of the few remaining big cities that have not had a person of color hold the mayoralty,” Cosgrove wrote. “So breaking a barrier like that, in a city with Boston’s difficult racial history, with a person of the high personal qualities and deep commitment to progressive causes that [Councilor] Jackson has is of strong appeal.”
John Berg, a retired professor in the department of government at Suffolk University, said this particular endorsement will not have a significant impact on the mayoral race, as the majority of individuals have already decided on voting for incumbent Walsh.
“If the candidate is not well known, it’s important to get an endorsement because that will help identify them in the voters’ minds,” Berg said. “I don’t think it is politically true for Martin Walsh.”
Several Boston residents said Warren’s endorsement was expected, and that it will not have a major bearing on their vote as they already favored Walsh for mayor.
Darrell Miller, 46, of West Roxbury, said he was not surprised Warren endorsed Walsh over Jackson, and voiced support for the current mayor.
“They worked together,” Miller said. “[I] definitely [support] Martin Walsh. His objectives, his values. I think he is going to make Boston a better place.”
Julia Wallace, 52, of Allston, said Warren’s endorsement of Walsh is not of particular importance to her as she was already planning on voting to reelect him.
“I don’t mind the decision whether she endorsed him or not,” Wallace said. “It doesn’t matter if she supports him. I think he is doing a good job, and I am ready to see him back.”
Emma Lawrence, 44, of the North End, said Warren’s endorsement does not come as a shock because Walsh and she share similar values and political beliefs.
“They … share similar values and goals,” Lawrence said. “I support Martin Walsh because he really does a good job, and I believe he will continue doing a good job.”