Jim McGovern: U.S. Rep., Worcester

McGovern

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Jim McGovern learned well from his mentor, the late congressman, Joe Moakley. Like the one-time powerful Democrat from South Boston, McGovern exercises power and influence quietly, but with tenacity. And he brings home the bacon of federal funding while advocating for social justice and fundamental human rights both here and abroad.

Currently serving his ninth term, McGovern is the second-ranking Democrat on the powerful House Rules Committee. He has used his considerable Capitol Hill clout to secure millions of dollars in federal grants and assistance for his district, helping fund projects in economic development, mass transit and airport-navigation, as well as small-business assistance, public safety and affordable housing.

McGovern has also authored important legislation to increase Pell Grant funding for college students, provide funds to preserve open space in urban and suburban communities, and give tax credits to employers who pay the salaries of workers who are called up to active duty in the National Guard and Reserves.

He's been a regular at the table when important regional business and political issues are being sorted out. And, despite his liberal views, he has earned the respect of business leaders through his tireless work on a variety of economic development issues. When Massachusetts had to lose a House seat last year due to reapportionment, those who redrew the district lines thought enough of McGovern to give him a reasonably safe path to reelection by giving him the liberal bastions of Northampton and Amherst.

Joseph Salois: CEO, Atlas Distributing Inc., Auburn

John Prosser: Chairman, Seven Hills Foundation, Worcester

James Paulhus: President and CEO, UniBank for Savings, Whitinsville

Michael O'Brien: City Manager, City of Worcester (Until Jan. 5, 2014)

Tim Murray: President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

Charles Monahan: President, MCPHS University, Worcester

David ‘Duddie’ Massad: Chairman, Commerce Bank & Trust, Worcester

William Manley: Founder and CEO, Calare Properties, Hudson

Gordon Lankton: Founder, Museum of Russian Icons and Gallery of African Art, Clinton

Warner Fletcher: Partner, Fletcher Tilton, Worcester

Gerald Fels: Trustee Emeritus, Nichols College, Dudley

Robert Antonucci: President, Fitchburg State University