Curran calls Murphy the best choice to succeed him

Date: 9/3/2014

SPRINGFIELD – In a three candidate race for the state representative seat of the Ninth Hampden District, Springfield School Committee member Peter Murphy may now have an edge: he received the endorsement of Sean Curran, the man he would like to succeed.

Curran officially endorsed Murphy on Aug. 25 at the Clodo Concepcion Community Center in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood, one of the key areas of the district, which also includes part of the Chicopee.

Curran said that he had announced in December 2013 that he would not seek re-election because he wanted to see give potential candidates the chance to make a decision to run. 

“I wanted a lot of people in the race.” Curran said.

Murphy, former City Council President Jose Tosado, and union official Edward Collins are running on the Democratic ticket while Robert Underwood is running as a Libertarian.

He said that seeing the viewpoints of all three Democrats, Murphy has the “strongest resume and experience.”

Curran said that be believes Murphy would be the “best advocate” for existing projects in Springfield such as the completion of Union Station as well as being a “strong advocate for the schools.”

Murphy’s experience, Curran noted, includes serving as an assistant district attorney and an assistant city solicitor. He added that Murphy’s three children are in Springfield’s public school “means a lot.”

Murphy said he was honored by the endorsement and noted that Curran has been known for “big ideas” such as his advocacy for an east-west rail connection.

“I’d like to continue to bring big ideas down to Boston and make them a reality,” Murphy said.