I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Jeff Thielman to represent the Middlesex 23rd district in the state Legislature.

I have known Jeff since 2002 when I worked on the quixotic Robert Reich for governor campaign and Jeff was 'toiling for Tolman' (State Senator Warren Tolman, also running for governor). With Shannon O'Brien's nomination, we worked together for her not-to-be victory. During this time, and subsequently, I have gotten to know Jeff well. We've had dozens of conversations covering many topics. To my mind, Jeff is an individual who is warm, sharing, a listener, a doer, a risk-taker and above all, dedicated to public service. Anyone who has met or knows Jeff at all will agree that he is "ambitious." But he is ambitious with an aim, a guiding principle: "Service to others." In addition, Jeff is effective.

I know this "service" stuff sounds, well, unrealistically idealistic. But every encounter I've had with Jeff re-confirms my impression. I've worked with Jeff on his School Committee campaigns. I work with him as a fellow Town Meeting member. I've called upon Jeff to help a family with a student with special education needs that our system was unwilling to address. Jeff is there for people. And Jeff is willing to do things that are not in his own apparent self-interest. I've wondered why, but only in the last few weeks have I found out at least part of the reason.

About 22 years back, Jeff had what turned out to be a momentous meeting with Father Robert Drinan, S.J. Father Drinan, former Dean of Boston College Law School and former Massachusetts Congressman and ardent foe of the Vietnam war, was by then Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. Jeff was soon to complete his undergraduate degree program at Boston College, and was contemplating law school. When presented with the opportunity to speak with Father Drinan, Jeff explained that he was trying to decide between two options: law school, joining a law practice and beginning a career in the law, or traveling to Peru to work with poor street children and advocating for them. To liberally paraphrase Father Drinan, he said to Jeff: "the lawyers will always be amongst us, but the poor could use your help now." In a sense, he told Jeff that it was really he, Jeff, who needed the poor. To begin his life-career by seeing and working with the poor, and in being of service, was perhaps, the most important part of Jeff's education. It changed not only the lives of the children he worked with in Peru for some three years, it changed Jeff's life. Jeff's new goal became over time not simply to "accomplish something," but rather "to accomplish something for others." Although Jeff did finally get that law school degree (from BC), he never quite got back on the road to legal practice success — but he remained fired with ambition — an ambition to make a difference in the lives of others, and to be of service.

There is much more of Jeff's biography, his positions on the issues, his ideas for moving Massachusetts forward and on his campaign in general at his website: www.jeffthielman.com. Jeff's career over the last 20 years builds directly on his experience in Peru, and put's Father Drinan's example and ideals of service to others into direct action.

Jeff Thielman has the training, the experience, the achievements, the heart, the intelligence and the drive to be an outstanding representative for our community. He will have my vote, and I hope you will consider giving him yours on February 5.