NEW: Gemma's Former Field Director Endorses Congressman Cicilline

NEW: Gemma's Former Field Director Endorses Congressman Cicilline

The former field director for Democratic Congressional candidate Anthony Gemma today endorsed incumbent David Cicilline in the race to represent Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional candidate.

In a wide-ranging interview with GoLocalTV, Joseph Lazzerini said he left the campaign because he felt Gemma’s political strategy was “tactically and morally wrong.” Lazzerini said he intends to attend a fundraiser for Cicilline on Friday evening.

The winner of the Sept. 11 primary will run against Republican Brendan Doherty in the general election.

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Lazzerini’s endorsement comes a day after a Gemma campaign volunteer took to Twitter to compare Cicilline to convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky. Gemma later disavowed the comment and the volunteer, Anthony Sionni, resigned.

Lazzerini resigned from the campaign in early August and is now working as the field organizing director for the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers. He said he is focusing on General Assembly races.