By: Shira Schoenberg
A national organization aimed at cultivating "pro-growth progressive" leaders has chosen state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, as one of its up and coming state officials.
NewDEAL is a 4-year old organization that uses its website to share ideas from local officials around the country. It promotes ideas that are progressive and also focus on growing the economy or making government more efficient.
The organization named as its new honorary co-chairs U.S. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, and Gary Peters, D-Michigan.
It also named 19 up and coming leaders in state and local politics. Lesser was the only one chosen from Massachusetts.
Lesser is a first-term state senator, who previously worked as a White House aide under President Barack Obama.
Other Massachusetts officials recognized by NewDEAL previously include Newton Mayor Setti Warren, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.
