A senatorial candidate makes a stop in Western MA. Coakley was taking in a crowd at Northampton's Union Station Restaurant. Coakley, the current attorney general, is a native of North Adams. As she makes her way back home for Thanksgiving for the next few days, she'll be campaigning here in Western MA. Stops are planned in her native Northampton, here in Springfield, and other stops in the Berkshires. Along the way, she's receiving endorsements from local politicians. Current Northampton mayor Mary Claire Higgins and state rep. Rosemary Sandlin are among those endorsing the only female candidate in the senate race. Coakley talked about the issues important to the valley. "What are the particular area needs that we have. I know from growing up out here, that sometimes telecommunication, transportation and a tough economy hit hard and is tough to come back from.
Coakley is also opening a Berkshire office staffed full of volunteers ready to handle any questions or comments about the candidate. Polls show Coakley is the front-runner in the race to replace Ted Kennedy's seat.