Three candidates — State Sen. Barry Finegold, state Rep. Tom Conroy and Brookline businesswoman Deb Goldberg — are competing for the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer on Sept. 9. Who are you voting for and why?
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POLL: Your choice for State Treasurer in the Dem primary?
by Village 14 | Aug 27, 2014 | Newton | 12 comments
Is there a sure and certain reason Massachusetts needs us to make treasurer a political position? We don’t elect our Health Care Chief (whatever position that is…), we don’t elect our Technology Chief (who has in the last few years screwed up the unemployment system w Deliote, the health care roll-out w CGI, among other IT failures including down time with EBT cards…) We don’t elect the child care/DCF chief… Why do we make a treasurer a political position? If they’re doing more than promoting lottery scratch tickets, we need a dedicated finance professional, not a vote whore.
Hrm… another poll.
I dunno, Hoss, I think you might have answered your own question, with your examples of unelected people.
This undecided voter could use some help from anyone who has been closely following this contest. Anyone want to make their case for one of these candidates?
Barry Finegold. I have known Barry for over 15 yrs, when he was a state rep with a small windowless office in the basement of the State House because he was not a supporter of Speaker Finneran. Barry is honest, principled, hard-working, and fiscally responsible. He is progressive but also pragmatic. Setting aside the question of whether the treasurer should be an elected position, as long as it IS an elected position, I believe BarryFinegold is the best choice for the job.
I have not decided on this race, and couldn’t say if I had, since it’s a race my newspaper covers, but my editors get to say on the editorial page, and they’re endorsing Barry Finegold. You can read why here:
http://www.lowellsun.com/Opinion/Editorials/ci_26407419/Finegold-for-treasurer
@Emily. Being on Finneran’s black list is one of many reasons I’m also supporting Warren Tolman. While a State Senator, Warren made enemies in the House and Senate leadership for proposing much needed reforms they did not want to enact. This belies his opponent’s charge that he is some kind of political hack.
By the way, it should also be remembered that David Cohen, when he was a State Representative, also made the leadership’s black list when David opposed Finneran’s election as Speaker even when it became apparent that David’s candidate didn’t stand much of a chance at winning. Now that took real courage. Come to think of it, Ruth Balser and Kay Kahn were also on the list of heroes that took on Finneran. It makes me want to wretch when I hear radio hacks like Howie Carr and the truly awful ones that broadcast from the Worcester area, refer to all these political leaders as hacks.
Based on resume and professional qualifications, the only choice is Tom Conroy.
The Boston Globe and I agree on Tom Conroy for Treasurer!
I have strong feelings about governor and AG, but commented to my husband today (after reading the Globe’s endorsement of Steve Grossman) that I had no inclinations about treasurer. If Emily Norton likes Barry Finegold, that’s good enough for me. Not to discount Globe endorsements. They were spot on about Steve Grossman. As a pragmatic Dem, I’m not looking to deja vu all over again with Charlie Baker in the role of Scott Brown and Martha Coakley just being Martha Coakley.
I know all 3 candidates well…. and think highly of all of them…. but I am supporting Deb Goldberg! I got to know Deb when she was a Brookline Selectman. The district I represent used to include a precinct of Brookline, so I had considerable occasion to work with Deb. I was tremendously impressed with the way she led, integrating her strong fiscal sense with her progressive politics with her wonderful responsiveness to constituents. She has a law degree and business degree, has real world experience managing a business and has led in a number of non-profit organizations.
I think she will make a great Treasurer!
I have known Deb Goldberg for many years, and I believe she is the strongest and most qualified candidate for State Treasurer. There is a reason why State Representatives Ruth Balser and Kay Khan are strongly supporting Deb. There is a reason why Aldermen Scott Lennon, Jay Ciccone, Marcia Johnson, Susan Albright, (former Alderman) Steve Linsky, Ted Hess-Mahan, Amy Sangiolo, (former Alderman) John Stewart, Vicki Danberg, Dick Blazer, Cheryl Lappin, Rick Lipoff and David Kalis are all supporting Deb. And there is a reason why School Committee members Ellen Gibson, Margaret Albright, Matt Hills, (former School Committee Member) Jonathan Yeo and Margie Ross-Decter all have Deb Goldberg signs on their front lawns. They all know that Deb Goldberg is a bold progressive leader, she knows how to work with people and get the job done. With her educational background, her creativity, her lifelong dedication to helping people, and her corporate, public and nonprofit experience, she will bring a unique skill set to the job of State Treasurer, and I highly recommend voting for Deb on September 9th.