CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK.

COLUMN: CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK

Neighbor-to-Neighbor backs O'Brien

WORCESTER - Neighbor-to-Neighbor, a grass-roots organization that advocates on economic issues to help working people, has endorsed Joseph C. O'Brien for mayor.

"We are confident that Joe has the leadership skills that we need to help move our city forward," said Maria Cruz, a member of the organization's Election Committee.

Mr. O'Brien said he has worked side-by-side with many Neighbor-to-Neighbor members on a variety of efforts over the years.

"I know they realize how important it is for us to have a mayor who will work hard every day to get Worcester moving in the right direction again," he said.

Mihos supporters gather in Worcester

WORCESTER - About a dozen supporters of Christy P. Mihos, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, gathered last night at McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon.

They included Joe Manzoli of Shrewsbury, Mr. Mihos' statewide campaign coordinator; William J. McCarthy, candidate for city councilor at-large; and Vincent DiLeo of Shrewsbury.

Mr. Mihos, a former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority member, said in an interview he supports sports betting through the state Lottery Commission, which he said could bring an additional $1 billion for cities and towns whose state aid is stuck at its 2002 levels; and slot machines at racetracks that could keep the tracks in business while yielding the state a $400 million annual payday.

Legal gambling can replace illegal gambling, he said. The candidate said he opposes casinos.

Mr. Mihos said he can beat Charles D. Baker Jr. for the Republican nomination. He said Mr. Baker, as state administration and finance secretary, wrote the Big Dig financing plan in 1998, that he said he and fellow Turnpike Authority member Jordan Levy "fought the good battle" to deal with the unpleasant aftermath.

Mr. Mihos, who ran for governor as an independent in 2006, called Mr. Baker "the classic insider. I'm the classic outsider."

Utility workers support Coakley

The Brotherhood of Utility Workers yesterday unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Attorney General Martha Coakley for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Edward M. Kennedy.

Matt Weldon, BUW Council vice president and president of Utility Workers Union of America Local 330 of Worcester, said, "During her tenure as attorney general, she has proven to be a strong and effective voice for the working man and woman of Massachusetts. We believe she is ideally suited to represent the people of our state, and we will work tirelessly to help her win this upcoming election."

The council, a part of the AFL-CIO, has more than 5,000 members in unions throughout Central and Southeastern Massachusetts.