Gov. Patrick endorses Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts Senate race

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday endorsed consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren for the U.S. Senate, saying Democrats were lucky to have candidates like her.

"Elizabeth Warren is my friend and I believe should be the next United States Senator from Massachusetts," he said at Warren's campaign headquarters. "I want to thank you all for making this campaign your campaign. I love this candidate, I am excited about this candidate."

Warren, a Harvard law professor, had been a long-time advocate for a consumer protection agency. She later helped implement the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a Special Assistant to the President after it was established by the Dodd–Frank Act two years ago. The bureau is charged with regulating mortgages, credit cards and other financial goods and services.

She is running against Republican Sen. Scott Brown. He won the seat in January 2010 to replace Sen. Ted Kennedy, who died of brain cancer in 2009.

Patrick said it was important for Democrats to campaign and govern at the grassroots level.

"We have to be better than just raising a bunch of money so we have a relationship with voters through 30-second ads in the last few weeks of the campaign," he explained to Warren's campaign staff.

"They have to feel the investment, they have to feel the connection, and that is going to come from you."

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube on May 31, below: