AVELLANEDA ENDORSED BY BOSTON HERALD

On Tuesday, Feb. 25th, the Boston Herald endorsed Roy for the 2nd Suffolk seat. 

New face for the Hill

It was long past time for Gene O’Flaherty to depart the Beacon Hill stage, and while we would have preferred that he take his (ahem) talents to the private sector he’s been tapped by his pal, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, to be the city’s new lawyer. That leaves a hole in the House where a fresh face — one who isn’t intent on punishing slights and ruling the committee he leads like an emperor — ought to be.

Three Democrats are vying to replace O’Flaherty (there is no Republican in the race) in the 2nd Suffolk District. Of the three, former Chelsea City Councilor Roy Avellaneda is best qualified to step in to serve the remainder of O’Flaherty’s term representing Charlestown and much of Chelsea, and the Herald is pleased to endorse his candidacy in the primary March 4.

In addition to serving on the Chelsea council Avellaneda previously served on the city’s Planning Board. He has small-business experience and is currently a project manager for the state Department of Transportation while working part-time in real estate. He was the first Latino elected to an at-large seat and even has experience on Beacon Hill as a staffer for ex-Sen. Jarrett Barrios.

As the son of immigrant parents from Argentina his background mirrors that of many residents of the Chelsea portion of the district, a city where more than 60 percent of residents are Hispanic or Latino.

We do have significant policy differences with Avellaneda, as we do with each of the Democrats in the race. On immigration issues, for starters. He also supports an increase of the state’s minimum wage to $11, and touts his work to secure union-friendly (and more costly) project labor agreements on major public construction projects.

But those views are de rigueur for an urban Democrat these days. Avellaneda at least brings a depth of experience that sets him apart from his rivals.