Brown endorses state House candidate

Published by The Boston Globe

U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has endorsed a former Romney administration official for state representative in the 13th Norfolk District and will host a fundraiser for the candidate at the home of a retired Needham car dealer whose appearance in a recent parade wearing a Native American costume drew controversy.

Brown has thrown his support behind John O’Leary of Needham in the district, which includes Needham, Dover and Medfield.



O’Leary’s campaign said Brown will host a fundraiser for O’Leary on Sept. 10 at the Dover home of Fred Muzi.

Muzi, the retired owner of Muzi Ford in Needham, has recently been the center of a controversy over his representation of a Native American in the Needham Fourth of July parade. Though several residents have voiced support for Muzi, some have said they were offended by his appearance, which they consider insensitive to Native Americans. Muzi, who has ridden in the parade as a Native American for over 50 years, has said he respects the Native American culture and his parade portrayal is meant as a tribute.

Brown’s press director, Gail Gitcho, referred questions on the fund-raising event to O’Leary’s campaign.

Brown said in a press release that he is endorsing O’Leary for his four years of experience in state government under former Governor Mitt Romney, heading three different agencies.

“John O’Leary has the skills and experience that we need now on Beacon Hill,” said Brown. “Governor Romney continued to promote John into roles of increasing responsibility because of John’s outstanding skills as a public sector manager.”

In a statement, O’Leary said he was “proud to receive Senator Brown's endorsement, because this race is about controlling spending and getting the economy moving again.”

O’Leary’s campaign manager Ted Owens said Muzi offered his home in June. Owens said Muzi has held many fund-raising events for candidates in the past, and Muzi’s home is a convenient location in the middle of the district.

“Fred’s living room is the size of a hotel function room and was designed for parties,” said Owens. “The controversy surrounding Fred Muzi and the Fourth of July parade will not affect this event.”

Muzi could not be reached for this story.

O’Leary is a Republican running against Joshua Levy, a researcher at Masachusetts General Hospital and Boston University, in the primary on Sept. 14. Levy declined comment.