Madden, Hedlund endorse McPherson in mayor’s race

WEYMOUTH - Weymouth Mayor David Madden and state Sen. Robert Hedlund have endorsed Colin McPherson in the race to become the second mayor in the town’s history.

McPherson’s campaign made the announcements in a statement released Tuesday. He will face Councilor at large Sue Kay in the Nov. 6 election.

“These two officials represent opposite ends of the political spectrum,” McPherson said. “I think it speaks volumes to my ability to bring people together and I am honored by their confidence in me to lead Weymouth into the future.”

The endorsements line up with McPherson’s personal and political affiliations.

McPherson’s wife is Madden’s cousin and his former chief of staff. Madden appointed McPherson, a former town councilor, to the powerful executive board of South Shore Tri-Town Development Corp., the public overseers of the redevelopment of the South Weymouth Naval Air Station.

“As a councilor, Colin was an aggressive advocate for his district and as a representative on the board at the air base Colin has been diligent in protecting the interests of the entire community,” Madden said in McPherson’s release. “Colin’s biggest strength, however, is his willingness to make decisions based on what he feels is right for the community.”

McPherson has stressed that he is a different person than Madden, and that his election would not mean an extension of Madden’s rule.

The Hedlund endorsement matches another of McPherson’s political affiliations. Both are Republicans.

“As a father of a young family, Colin is committed to the future of Weymouth,” Hedlund said in McPherson’s release. “Colin has excellent municipal experience as a former Weymouth town councilor and the professional experience as a (certified public accountant) to guide Weymouth through its financial challenges.”

The endorsements mean McPherson has the support of the top two vote-getters in Weymouth’s first mayoral election in 1999. Madden defeated Hedlund in that hotly contested race by 1,588 votes.

Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com.