Speaker Pelosi to Endorse Mike Capuano

November 13, 2009 | Contact: Alison Mills, 617 868-2009

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.

“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 the 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.”

Speaker Pelosi will formally endorse Congressman Mike Capuano in Boston on Friday.