LOWELL, Mass. – State Treasurer Steven Grossman told delegates at the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s annual convention Saturday that he was running for governor and said he would make paid family leave a top priority if elected.

“I think it’s a moral and economic responsibility,” Grossman said.

Grossman, former chief executive of Grossman Marketing Group, later said he’s looking forward to a vigorous primary race and believes he has the business experience, skills and credibility to be the best nominee.

Delegates gathered in the Tsongas Center in Lowell to set a party platform, but much of the focus was on potential candidates for next year’s governor’s race. The declared candidates include Cape Cod state Sen. Dan Wolf, Newton pediatrician Joseph Berwick and Joseph Avellone, a former Wellesley selectman.

Attorney General Martha Coakley told reporters before addressing the convention that she’s not ready to make a decision on whether she will run for governor or re-election as attorney general.

“I’m definitely thinking about it,” she said.

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Other possible Democratic candidates for governor include U.S. Reps. Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, state Environmental Secretary Richard Sullivan and Juliette Kayyem, former Massachusetts homeland security undersecretary.

The convention drew approximately 3,000 of the party faithful, whose support could provide the backbone of a winning campaign next year.

The race is wide open as Gov. Deval Patrick and former Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray have both said they are not in the running. Patrick has served two terms and won’t seek a third. Murray resigned earlier this year to take a job as head of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

 


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