BOSTON, Mass., On Aug 9th, Democratic Candidate for State Auditor Chris Dempsey announced an endorsement from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston elected officials. Announcement comes at event in Nubian Square, Roxbury, where Dempsey unveiled his MBTA Accountability Agenda, a four-point plan to use the power of the Auditor’s Office to improve oversight, safety, and performance at the MBTA.

Democratic Candidate for State Auditor Chris Dempsey announced that he has secured the endorsement of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. The endorsement is only the second endorsement by Mayor Wu of a statewide candidate, following the Mayor’s endorsements of Attorney General Maura Healey, who is running for Governor. In addition to support from Mayor Wu, Chris Dempsey is proud to announce the endorsements from these Boston elected officials and organizations: 

Senator William Brownsberger (Second Suffolk and Middlesex)

Representative Russell Holmes (6th Suffolk)

Representative Chynah Tyler (7th Suffolk)

Representative Jay Livingstone (8th Suffolk)

Representative Jon Santiago (9th Suffolk)

Representative Ed Coppinger (10th Suffolk)

Representative Elizabeth Malia (11th Suffolk)

Representative Nika Elugardo (15th Suffolk)

Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell (District 4)

Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara (District 6)

Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok (District 8)

Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune (At-Large)

Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee

Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee

Boston Ward 10 Democratic Committee

Boston Ward 12 Democratic Committee

Boston Ward 15 Democratic Committee

Boston Ward 18 Democratic Committee

JP Progressives

“I am honored to have earned Mayor Wu’s support. Michelle has been a friend and ally for many years. As a City Councilor, Michelle Wu was the very first elected official in the City of Boston to ask tough questions about the Boston 2024 Olympic bid. As Mayor, she has offered a bold vision for the city, assembled a talented team, and led Boston forward through challenging times. Her leadership inspires people far beyond Boston’s borders. I will be a partner to Mayor Wu on Beacon Hill on transparency, housing, transportation, and achieving the promise of a Green New Deal for Boston and for the entire Commonwealth. I will be the first statewide office holder to commute to Beacon Hill by transit in over thirty years -- and I look forward to seeing the Mayor on the T!,” said Chris Dempsey, Candidate for State Auditor 

“I am proud to endorse my friend, Chris Dempsey, to be our next State Auditor. Chris has already demonstrated his tenacity and willingness to step up and fight for the people of Massachusetts. When corporations and special interest groups tried to bring the Olympics to Boston and send a $15 billion bill to the taxpayers, Chris spoke out, organized, and helped us all win. Chris will use the State Auditor’s office to lead on critical issues, like climate change, public transit, transparency, and reproductive rights. I look forward to continuing our partnership on these and other challenges when Chris is on Beacon Hill,” said Mayor Michelle Wu

The Dempsey campaign has shown considerable strength in the City of Boston. At June’s Democratic Convention Dempsey won all six Senate Districts that represent the city, a key component of his victory as he earned the endorsement of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

This morning’s announcement in Nubian Square coincides with Dempsey’s release of an MBTA Accountability Agenda, which is available at http://www.dempseyforauditor.com/mbta. Dempsey is a former Massachusetts Assistant Secretary of Transportation and the former Director of the Transportation for Massachusetts advocacy coalition. His four-point plan includes:

1. On Day 1, his team will launch an audit of the MBTA based on the findings of the Federal Transit Administration, which is currently investigating the MBTA.

2. Auditing the DPU and other regulatory agencies to assure they fully meet their responsibilities in ensuring a safe MBTA. Based on that audit, he will file legislation to clarify the accountability and oversight bodies of the MBTA, which could include enhancing the DPU’s oversight or moving that function to a different part of state government.

3. Submitting a $2 million budget request to increase the resources available to the Auditor’s Office with the explicit goal of enhancing the office’s MBTA accountability and oversight functions. Dempsey will create an Auditor’s Office of MBTA Accountability dedicated to MBTA oversight and reform. He will hire professionals with experience in transit safety, operations, engineering, and investigations to staff this unit.

4. Dempsey will be the first statewide elected official to commute to Beacon Hill by transit in over thirty years. The work of the Auditor’s office will be informed by these first-hand experiences.