Gulluni becomes a character witness for Moulton. (via Facebook/Hampden DA)

On the day Senator Ed Markey and North Shore Congressman Seth Moulton appeared in Chicopee for a debate, the latter announced several local endorsements. As Moulton noted in that face-off, Markey had secured many of the region’s pols before he even had competition in the Democratic primary.

Despite that, the challenger secured some notables from Westside’s mayor to the Sullivans of Westfield. This past Wednesday, however, Moulton added another noteworthy name to his stable of supporters: Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gullluni.

In a statement Moulton’s campaign released, Gulluni said Democrats need a new playbook, focused on results. The DA pointed to the congressman’s service as a marine and work on behalf of veterans, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Moulton, Gulluni continued, is the one who can challenge Donald Trump and the Democratic establishment.

“Massachusetts needs leaders who can extend a hand across the aisle to get things done, but who also have the strength and conviction to stand their ground when either party puts politics ahead of people,” Gulluni said. “Seth represents a new playbook focused on solving problems instead of protecting the status quo, on delivering results instead of making excuses, and on putting people ahead of politics.”

Markey is hardly without Hampden County or Springfield backing. Hampden Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi is with the senator. Springfield’s entire legislative delegation, the mayor, many city councilors and Moulton’s House colleague Representative Richard Neal are with the incumbent.

Nevertheless, Gulluni’s backing gives Moulton his highest-profile endorsement out of the Commonwealth’s third-largest city. The District Attorney has deep roots in Springfield and still calls it his home.

Moulton thanked Gulluni for his support. He called the Hampden DA a “fighter” for the 413 who knows how “to make hard calls, get results, and put the community first.”

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Moulton at an event in Springfield earlier this year going the full 413. (via Facebook/Moulton campaign)

“As a Marine, I learned that real leadership is measured by results and service,” he said in his release. “Anthony Gulluni exemplifies that standard every day. He has spent his career keeping the people of Springfield and Hampden County safe, and I’m honored to have his support.”

Gulluni has been Hampden County’s top prosecutor since 2015. The seat opened after then-District Attorney Mark Mastroianni departed to take the federal judgeship based in Springfield. Then basically a working prosecutor and only 33, Gulluni overcame accusations of insufficient experience to prevail in the Democratic primary. He faced no opposition in the general.

In office, Gulluni has generally tacked toward the center or even slightly right, at least within the spectrum of Massachusetts Democrats. Yet, he has avoided primary challenges and maneuvered through national reckonings like the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the revelations of misconduct among members of the Springfield Police Department. Indeed, he remains on politicos’ short lists for successors to Neal.

Strictly speaking, criminal justice issues are not prominent in the Senate primary. There has been little discussion about Markey’s or Moulton’s positions on issues that fall within Gulluni’s ambit. Markey has some district attorneys in his corner, too. Among them is Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, whose prosecutorial persona mirrors Gulluni’s somewhat.

Gulluni’s nod may bring some benefits, though. It is too late for Gullluni’s annual St. Patrick’s Day event, but he can offer Moulton more Greater Springfield conections. In particular, Gulluni could give Moulton some entrée into Western Mass legal circles, which can yield both money and votes.

Gulluni’s support also complements the backing Moulton got from West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt. Both the district attorney and the mayor are in their mid to early 40s. Moulton, 47, has made a rather explicit generational argument against Markey, who turned 80 this month. Certainly, Markey has battalion of youthful support, including officeholders from Hampden County like Holyoke’s 40 year-old Mayor Joshua Garcia. Still, optics-wise, it helps that Moulton has pulled in a couple of figures who can match his age argument.

Although Hampden County did back now-former Newton Congressman Joe Kennedy, III six years ago, a lot has changed since he challenged Markey in 2020. With more of the region’s pols backing Markey this time, support from somebody like Gulluni becomes all the more important.

Markey and Moulton face off in two more debates in Eastern Mass next month. The primary is September 1.