Massachusetts Nurses Association Endorses Andrea Harrington for Berkshire County District Attorney

CANTON, Mass., Aug. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses and health care professionals, announces its endorsement of Andrea Harrington for Berkshire County District Attorney.

"As a registered nurse in Berkshire County and an advocate for the most vulnerable people in our communities, I support Andrea Harrington for Berkshire County District Attorney," said Mark Brodeur, an RN at Berkshire Medical Center and member of the MNA Bargaining Committee. "Andrea stood with our nurses when we fought for safe patient care at Berkshire Medical Center. She is a committed reformer and has the passion and energy needed to facilitate positive change."

"I am honored to have the Massachusetts Nurses Association supporting my campaign for District Attorney," Harrington said. "I am running because the old guard in the DA's office is not working. It is time that we move the DA's office into the 21^st Century, using evidence-based practices that work.

"I am committed to leading the community, collaborating with organizations and leaders, including the nurses, to build a healthier and safer Berkshires," Harrington continued. "The nurses are at the front lines of the opioid epidemic, and I know that with your support, we will aggressively combat the drug problems plaguing the Berkshires."

Harrington was born and raised in the Berkshires. She graduated from Taconic High School, then received her college degree from the University of Washington. With the encouragement of her family, Harrington obtained her law degree from the American University Washington College of Law.

With more than 15 years of legal experience, including civil litigation and criminal law, she has represented people in all stages of the criminal justice system.  Now, raising her two sons with her husband, Tim, in Richmond, Harrington is running for District Attorney because she wants to use smart, proven approaches to combating the opioid epidemic, domestic violence, and reducing crime in the Berkshires.

Harrington has pledged support for Question 1, the ballot measure that will enact safe patient limits for registered nurses in all Massachusetts hospital units. Question 1 was written by frontline nurses based on their experience caring for patients and decades of independent scientific research.

"Andrea Harrington knows and supports the complex, dedicated care nurses provide to patients every day in Berkshire County and throughout Massachusetts," said Donna-Kelly Williams, a registered nurse and President of the MNA. "Harrington is committed to the top priorities of nurses, including addressing the epidemic of violence in healthcare and ensuring safe patient limits that provide every hospital patient in Massachusetts the quality care they deserve."

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Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association