Menino endorses Gov. Patrick
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is backing Gov. Deval Patrick for re-election.
The mayor announced he was supporting his fellow Democrat after a joint appearance Friday in Boston's South End.
Menino says Patrick is a leader, not a politician. He cited his work to boost education and economic development in Massachusetts.
Patrick says he considers Menino a mentor.
The governor is being challenged for re-election by Republican Charles Baker, independent Timothy Cahill and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein.
Menino's endorsement is no surprise, given that Patrick and Menino share party ties. But it could boost the governor's re-election prospects by placing Menino's field organization at his disposal.
Menino was re-elected last fall and is now the city's longest-serving mayor.
