Tolman touts party endorsement, diverse support at Haley House

Many top city leaders came together to help Warren Tolman, candidate for attorney general, earn the endorsement of the Democratic State Convention in Worcester.

Tolman, who has released a plan to bring the attorney general’s office into Boston neighborhoods, won the nomination with the support of state Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson and Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins.

“It’s a fantastic honor to receive the support of the Democratic State Convention yesterday as we work together to improve our Commonwealth,” Tolman said. “I have always believed that as Democrats, we must champion progressive values and stand up for those who do not have a voice. These are the principles I have practiced throughout my career and will be the model for the Attorney General’s Office I will oversee.”

A former state senator from Watertown, Tolman is one of two Democrats running to succeed Attorney General Martha Coakley, who is a candidate for governor. Tolman’s urban agenda, released in Roxbury earlier this month, outlines his commitment to working with communities of color to tackle problems affecting cities.

“The Attorney General is the People’s Advocate, and I want to hear directly from Massachusetts residents about the issues affecting our cities and towns,” Tolman said in a statement. “I will be the Neighborhood Attorney General, ensuring that my office is capable of fighting for every resident of the Commonwealth, regardless of your race, your religion, your gender identity, or your sexual orientation.”

Joined by Dorcena Forry, Jackson, and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, Tolman spoke with voters at the Haley House Bakery Cafe in early June about his plan to address urban issues: tackling gun violence, fighting opiate abuse, improving education, and reforming the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system.

“Warren Tolman has a vision to work with and for all of the urban communities in Boston and around the Commonwealth,” said Jackson, who represents all of Roxbury and parts of the South End, Dorchester and Fenway.

Tolman vowed to advocate for the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders and for the expansion of alternative sentencing. Sheriff Tompkins called Tolman a “smart and principled leader” and intends to partner with Tolman to expand detox and mental health resources and strengthen our reentry programs.

“His unrelenting willingness to work on addressing the weaknesses in our criminal justice system is impressive,” Tompkins said. “Accordingly, I am endorsing Warren and looking forward to partnering with him on the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders; on the need for more detox and mental health resources and on strengthening our reentry programs.”

Tolman’s primary opponent, Maura Healey, is a former assistant Attorney General from Charlestown. Construction lawyer John Miller, of Winchester, is seeking the Republican nomination.

Source: Tolman campaign