Patrick nears decision on governor run
/Deval Patrick edged closer to a run for
governor yesterday, saying his family has given him the green light to
plunge into the race as he continues to assemble a staff and campaign
organization. Patrick, a Democrat who headed the civil rights division
of the Justice Department during the Clinton administration, said that
''not much" stands in the way of his getting into the race, but he
wants to assure himself he is comfortable with the campaign structure
he is working to put together. Patrick is viewed by many political
veterans as a wild card in the Democratic race for governor. Attorney
General Thomas F. Reilly has emerged as an early favorite among many
party leaders and financial backers. Secretary of State William F.
Galvin also has expressed interest in running. If Patrick runs, he would be the first
African-American to emerge as a major candidate for governor in
Massachusetts. He has told political figures he can put
at least a half-million dollars of his own money into the campaign. He
has already contributed $100,000 for his exploratory efforts, including
renting a downtown Boston office and hiring several aides and
consultants. But most analysts figure that Patrick, to be a serious
candidate in the primary, must spend as much as $5 million. Raising
that much is difficult because state law limits each contribution to
$500 per person each year. [more]
- Democratic contender Patrick hires veteran to run campaign [more]
- Deval Patrick to consult for Coke for $2.1 Million [more]
