PEABODY - They don't agree on everything - but with a nudge from state Sen. Fred Berry, a group including most of the top elected officials on the North Shore gathered yesterday at the Peabody Marriott to endorse Worcester Mayor Tim Murray for lieutenant governor.

Murray is locked in a three-way contest for the Democratic party nomination to be decided by the Sept. 19 primary. Also running are Andrea Silbert, a self-described environmentalist from Harwich, and Brookline Selectman Deb Goldberg. The winner will run in tandem with the Democratic candidate for governor in the general election this November.

Berry showed some clout by gathering support for Murray from a group that often disagrees on who should be governor - for example, Mayor Michael Bonfanti of Peabody has endorsed Chris Gabrieli, while Mayor Kim Driscoll of Salem is backing Deval Patrick.

"They all spoke," Berry said afterward, "and I think the message was, 'No matter who you vote for governor - Tim Murray is the best candidate for lieutenant governor.'"

Murray's background as a mayor was one reason for giving support.

"Having a mayor in that position would be great," Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon said. "He'd understand our problems and needs."

"I believe that Tim Murray understands the needs of municipalities and would be an advocate of those needs," Bonfanti said.
Berry believes Murray knows the difficulties caused by Gov. Mitt Romney.
"The administration shifted the tax burden to the property tax," Berry said. "And that's strangling working folks."
It would be an advantage to have a former mayor in the room with the governor, he said.

In addition, Berry hopes Murray will join the effort to stop any rollback of the state income tax, a move which he maintains will make matters worse for cities and towns. Two of three candidates for governor, Tom Reilly and Gabrieli, have already pledged to reduce the tax.

"All the mayors knew him from the MMA (Massachusetts Municipal Association)," Berry said. "They're very comfortable with his record." From a working class family, "he's a very nice man. Very likable."

Also endorsing Murray were Mayor Edward "Chip" Clancy of Lynn, state Rep. Ted Speliotis of Danvers and District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.