"Former council pres endorses Barack Obama"

BostonNOW:

Just one week after Mayor Thomas Menino endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for president, a city councilor has endorsed his own presidential candidate.

BostonNOW canvassed Boston City Council last week for reaction to Mayor Thomas Menino's endorsement. City Councilor Michael Flaherty had no news on Obama at that time.

On Saturday, Flaherty appeared in the South End with Obama supporters during the annual gay pride parade. Yesterday, he said he endorses Obama in the 2008 presidential race.

"Barack Obama dares to challenge the status quo, infuse our nation with new ideas and take us in a much-needed new direction," said Flaherty. "I value Barack's commitment to strengthening families and communities, focusing on the educational opportunities of our children and improving the health care delivery system."

"I am pleased that [Flaherty] has decided to join our campaign to change politics, end the Iraq War and provide affordable health care for every American,"said Obama.

Michael Flaherty's History

Flaherty has been a city councilor since 2000 and is a lifelong resident of South Boston. A graduate of Boston University's School of Law, Flaherty worked in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, serving two years as an assistant DA. In 2002, Flaherty was elected by fellow members to act as City Council president, a seat he held until 2006 when current Council President Maureen Feeney took over.