Leominster's Higgins gets big boost from Sen. Warren

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LEOMINSTER -- U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren stood in state-representative candidate Natalie Higgins' campaign headquarters on Saturday and described the 28-year-old attorney as "smart, tough and strong."
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Higgins, who is running to represent the Fourth Worcester District, stood to the senator's side with a smile that spoke to the magnitude of the endorsement.

"It is just un-unreal," Higgins said after Warren formally endorsed Higgins Friday and spoke to her and her supporters on Saturday. "I admire her so much. She just has some many attributes that I want to have as a community leader in Leominster."

State Sen. Jennifer Flanagan introduced Higgins and Warren to dozens of supporters at Higgins' campaign headquarters Saturday.

"I well tell you because it is great to be standing next to these two women," Flanagan said. "When I began working in the Legislature in 1995, this district was heavily male represented. That tide has turned to the fact that we no have more women than men in our delegation."

Warren, who was outspoken Saturday with her dismay in presidential candidate Donald Trump, said the rise of female politicians in the delegation shows there is good in the world and change is happening.

"It is a reminder that the world, for all that is wrong in it, also has a lot of good in it," she said. "We are making real changes. Changes that are about opportunities -- not just for some of us, but opportunities for all of us.

"Warren said electing Higgins to represent the Fourth Worcester District is crucial because "it is powerfully important to have partners that can work together."

"We make each other stronger in these fights at the federal level and the state level when we are all trying to pull in the same direction," she said.

Warren said Higgins' views, especially her views on college and education, are rooted in the same values she has.

"Natalie has been outspoken in her advocacy for college students and the opportunity to get an education without being crushed by student loan debt," Warren said. "I am in that all the way. The ways we can work together and the state level increases the odds that we can give people here in Massachusetts a real break and an opportunity to build the future."
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Higgins said it was "amazing" to be introduced by Flanagan, whom she interned for a decade ago, and endorsed by Warren, one of the most prominent female politicians in the country.

"I just can't wait to represent this community and make sure they have everything that they need," Higgins said.

Higgins is running against Republican Thomas "Frank" Ardinger to replace state Rep. Dennis Rosa, D-Leominster, who has opted not to run for re-election.

State Rep. Stephan Hay, D-Fitchburg, state Rep. Mary Keefe, D-Worcester, and Leominster City Councilors Sue Chalifoux Zephir and David Cormier were among those attending Saturday's event to support Higgins.