By Richard Gaines
Staff writer
June 27, 2008 05:29 am Ann-Margaret Ferrante has won the endorsement of the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus in her campaign for the state legislative seat from Cape Ann. Word of the endorsement, which comes with a $250 donation from the political action committee operated by the caucus, was delivered to Ferrante during her 36th birthday and political party Wednesday night at Cruiseport. The call was made by the caucus's executive director, Sheila Capone-Wulsin. Ann Murphy, president of the board of the caucus, described Ferrante as a "shining star" adding the caucus board was impressed with Ferrante's "unique" ability to transcend ideological differences. Ferrante and the other two candidates for the seat, incumbent Anthony Verga, who is running for an eighth term in the state House of Representatives, and former City Councilor Astrid af Klinteberg are Democrats. No Republicans submitted nomination papers. Ferrante and af Klinteberg are lawyers. Verga was a fisherman and later the head of the Gloucester Fisheries Commission. Ferrante said the endorsement was "touching, astounding, humbling." She described the caucus as "pioneers for my generation" who broke the "glass ceiling" that held women back from equal participation in the fields of work and professions. Murphy told the Times that because the caucus only endorses women, it did not consider the qualifications of Verga, before deciding to back Ferrante. As a policy, the caucus does not release the questionnaires submitted by Ferrante and af Klinteberg on behalf of their appeal for the group's support, Murphy said. Although this is Ferrante's first try for elective office, she has been active in many campaigns and was the campaign manager for the 2001 campaign that made John Bell mayor. She has worked in Congressman Joseph Kennedy's office, as an aide to state Sen. Bruce Tarr and as executive director of the Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission. She is a member of the Cape Ann Commercial Fisherman's Loan Fund. The winner of the Democratic primary on Sept. 16 will have no ballot opposition in the general election. The caucus has about 5,800 members statewide and 450 in Essex County. The caucus describes itself as "a multipartisan organization founded in 1971 to maximize the participation of women of all ages in the political process and to increase the number of women appointed and elected to public office and public policy positions." Richard Gaines may be contacted at rgaines@gloucestertimes.com.
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Photos
Ann-Margaret Ferrante of Gloucester, campaigning for a seat in the state House of Representatives, has won the endorsement of the Women's Political Caucus. Staff photo