Coakley to announce labor endorsements

U.S. Senate hopeful Martha Coakley is announcing endorsements from heavy-hitting unions only hours after blue-collar favorite U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch ducked out of the race.

Coakley will announce nods from local teamsters Local 25 and the Local 103 IBEW, the combined total represents about 20,000 members.

The endorsements mean more organized support and fundraising for Coakley, who has emerged as the frontrunner in the short five-month race.

The announcement comes on another busy day in the race for the U.S. Senate seat, as U.S. Rep. Lynch dropped out and City Year founder Alan Khazei pulled nomination papers.

U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville), who has hired heavyweight fundraiser Bob Farmer, is expected to announce his candidacy this week.

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20090915coakley_to_announce_labor_endorsements/