Menino endorses 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 Menino is an "invaluable partner" in moving the city and state forward.
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.
