Pelosi Endorses Capuano In Massachusetts Senate Race

The Boston Phoenix reports that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will step into the Massachusetts special Senate election, endorsing Rep. Mike Capuano:

Capuano is considered a top Pelosi lieutenant -- he headed her transition team when the Democrats took the majority in 2006 and made her Speaker.

Nevertheless, it was unknown whether Pelosi would publicly endorse Capuano, against a woman opponent. Pelosi has been a strong advocate of increasing the number of women in elected office; Martha Coakley would be only the 18th woman in the current US Senate if elected.

A new Suffolk poll has state Attorney General Martha Coakley in the lead with 44% in the Democratic primary, which will be held on December 8, followed by Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca with 17%, and Capuano at 16%.

Calls to Pelosi's office and Capuano's campaign were not returned.

Late Update: It's official, with the Capuano campaign putting out a press release. Pelosi praises Capuano's work in passing the health care bill through the House -- a subtle rebuke of Coakley's statements that she would have voted against the bill because of the Stupak Amendment, which has become a big issue in the race: "Saturday the House of Representatives passed a historic health care bill that was a great victory for the American People. Mike Capuano not only cast a courageous vote for this historic legislation, but was a constructive force in improving this bill and moving it to the Senate."

The full press release is available after the jump.

Speaker Pelosi to Endorse Mike Capuano

Today, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that she will endorse Congressman Mike Capuano in his candidacy to replace Edward Kennedy as the next Senator from Massachusetts.

Speaker Pelosi will formally endorse Congressman Mike Capuano in Boston on Friday, November 13th. A press conference will be held at the Omni Parker House, 60 School Street, in the Louisa May Alcott Ballroom B at 11:30a.m. Press must arrive by 11:15 a.m.

"Saturday the House of Representatives passed a historic health care bill that was a great victory for the American People. Mike Capuano not only cast a courageous vote for this historic legislation, but was a constructive force in improving this bill and moving it to the Senate. Whether taking on the CEOs of the financial services industry, supporting marriage equality, or voting against the Iraq War because he didn't believe Bush Administration made the case to take military action, Mike Capuano has a proven record of standing up for progressive values and what he believes is right. I am proud to endorse Mike Capuano for U.S. Senate," said Speaker Pelosi.

In 2006, then Speaker-elect Pelosi asked Mike Capuano to oversee Democrats' transition to the majority. Speaker Pelosi later tapped Capuano to head her Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement, which resulted in the creation of the first independent ethics office in the history of the House, an achievement that Common Cause called one of the most important reforms in a generation.

"I know Mike Capuano as someone who always finds a way to make progress regardless of the issue, which is why I selected him to serve in key roles on my leadership team. Whether overseeing the transition as the Democrats prepared to serve in the majority or working with Republican members on ethics reform, Mike always finished the job and got results," stated Speaker Pelosi.

"Mike's proven record of accomplishment in the House is clear evidence that he will be an outstanding advocate for the people of Massachusetts in the tradition of the late Senator Kennedy."