Rufus Gifford speaks at a Haverhill Democratic City Committee candidate dinner on May 7, 2018. (Jay Saulnier photograph for WHAV News.)
Support for 3rd District congressional hopeful Rufus Gifford got a boost last week with a formal endorsement from 2016’s democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine.
A longtime friend of Concord-based Gifford, Kaine, a Virginia senator, praised his pal’s progressive voice in a crowded field.
“His stellar work for President Obama and for our nation as our ambassador to Denmark shows that he will be an effective progressive voice in a body that badly needs improvement,” Kaine said. “Rufus worked with me at the Democratic National Committee and his energy, values, and commitment are second to none.”
Gifford, a former senior aide to Obama, is attempting to succeed retiring congresswoman Niki Tsongas to represent residents of the 3rd District, which includes Haverhill. He faces opposition in the democratic primary from Sen. Barbara L’Italien, Dan Koh and state Rep. Juana Matias, among others.
The congressional primary election takes place on September 4.