Somerville, MA - Massachusetts' senior Senator John Kerry today endorsed consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren for United States Senate while visiting NGP VAN, a Somerville-based small business.

Kerry praised Elizabeth’s proven record of standing up for middle class families to make sure they have a level playing field to succeed.

"I've known Elizabeth a long time, and I've been impressed not just by the things she's fought for in this campaign, but in the issues she's worked on in and out of government and in the power of her advocacy. I got to know of her when Ted Kennedy and I were fighting against a bankruptcy bill that was horribly unfair for working families who were struggling to hold on, and I've followed her work ever since. Her life’s work has been to fight for opportunities and fairness for working families and small businesses and we need more of that in the Senate today at a time when so many big economic challenges are in front of our country," said Sen. Kerry. "Much is at stake for Massachusetts this November, including whether control of the United States Senate will fall into the hands of an aspiring Republican majority that would again aim to stop President Obama at every turn. That too is a reason why this race is important, but just as important is the fact that I know that Elizabeth Warren will be a Senator who stands with working families in Washington just as she has her entire life."

Sen. Kerry, now serving his fifth term, is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Small Business Committee, and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee. Throughout his twenty seven years in the Senate, Kerry has been a leader in working to strengthen the American economy, reform our health care system, and protect the environment.

"I am deeply honored to have earned the support of Sen. Kerry, who has dedicated much of his life to representing Massachusetts' families in the Senate," said Warren. "For over two decades, Sen. Kerry has been a leading advocate for middle class families here in the Commonwealth. He has fought tirelessly for the expansion of children's health care, greater support of small businesses, and stronger financial regulations. Sen. Kerry has spent his career working to level the playing field for middle class families and ensuring that our children have a fair shot at success. I am proud to stand with Sen. Kerry, and I look forward to working with him in the United States Senate on behalf of hardworking men and women here in the Commonwealth and across the country."