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PARTY LINES: Former union president in School Committee race

A former president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association returned her nomination papers to City Hall this past week, a crucial step in entering the race for public office.

Carol Doherty, who has taught in New Bedford and came to Taunton when Bennett School first opened, later became a guidance counselor and served as president of the Taunton Education Association before heading the MTA.

“I am looking forward to bringing my experiences in education practice and policy to serve the children of Taunton through the very important work of the School Committee,” she said in a statement. “I believe that all students can meet our high expectations given the right set of circumstances and the resources to achieve their goals.”

Doherty is in a race that includes fellow challengers Josephine Almeida and Brian Kennedy, as well as incumbents Christine Fagan, Cathal O’Brien, Peter Corr, Janis Nowak, David Souza, Dianne Huggon, Joseph Martin and Barry Cooperstein. All eight seats on the committee are up for election.

Murray to lead Lt. Governors

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray was unanimously elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

“Over the last several years, my participation in the NLGA has provided valuable opportunities that have helped to bring new ideas back to the Commonwealth and also share the great work being done in Massachusetts with my colleagues,” Murray said in a statement. “I look forward to serving as chair-elect in this new term as we continue to work collaboratively, in a bipartisan effort, to gather information, discuss issues of importance that all states face, and share ideas and best practices for effective leadership in state government.”

Pacheco backs Brunelle

Democrat Roger Brunelle Jr., one of several candidates seeking to fill the vacancy created by state Rep. Stephen Canessa’s resignation from office, picked up an endorsement from state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton.

“Roger Brunelle is exactly the kind of partner I need on Beacon Hill to be effective for the 12th Bristol District,” Pacheco said in a statement. “As a construction worker whose family also owns a small business, Roger understands that the first priority for Southeastern Mass. is jobs. Roger Brunelle will stand up for middle class Massachusetts. We need that on Beacon Hill.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MURRAY UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED NEXT LEADER OF ...

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today was unanimously elected to serve as chair-elect of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) at the association’s annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. www.nlga.us

The NLGA is a bi-partisan, professional association that includes officeholders first in line of succession to the governor in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Lieutenant Governor Murray just completed his term as treasurer of the NLGA, and previously served as east regional chair for two terms.

“Over the last several years, my participation in the NLGA has provided valuable opportunities that have helped to bring new ideas back to the Commonwealth and also share the great work being done in Massachusetts with my colleagues,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “I look forward to serving as chair-elect in this new term as we continue to work collaboratively, in a bi-partisan effort, to gather information, discuss issues of importance that all states face, and share ideas and best practices for effective leadership in state government.”

“I applaud members of the National Lieutenant Governors Association for selecting Tim Murray as their next chair,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. “Lieutenant Governor Murray will provide steadfast leadership for the organization, and will be an strong voice for Massachusetts as he assumes this new national role.”   

“As a NLGA leader, Lieutenant Governor Murray will work with his peers across the nation to find and foster multi-state and regional solutions to problems,” said current NLGA Chair Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy. “Through NLGA, the nation’s lieutenant governors discuss shared concerns and seek to influence national dialogue.”

The executive committee of the NLGA meets approximately three times a year and is responsible to chart the course of issues and work to be pursued by the nation’s second-highest state and territorial officeholders. In addition to its specific duties, the executive committee will also address issues of mutual concern to all members.

“The lieutenant governor was elected to this position bi-partisanly by his peers,” said NLGA Executive Director Julia Hurst. “He will serve until July of 2012 as chair-elect and lead the policy resolutions committee. In July of 2012, he will succeed to the leadership position of the organization.