A Brookline Democrat has thrown his hat into the race for the Third District seat on the Governor's Council. 

Harry Margolis, an elder law attorney and Brookline resident, announced this week his candidacy for the Governor's Council, an executive body that advises the governor on matters including judicial nominations, criminal pardons and commutations. 

Margolis will be running against Democratic incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney of Watertown and former Newton Alderman Charlie Shapiro in the September 6 primary.

Newton resident Tom Sheff has also announced he will run for the seat on an Independent ticket.

Among Margolis' endorsements: Brookline Selectman Ken Goldstein, State Representative Frank Smizik, and Newton Board of Alderman Vice President Cheryl Lappin.

The following is a press release from Harry Margolis' campaign:

Harry S. Margolis of Brookline has announced his candidacy for Governor's Council in the 3rd District. Margolis has practiced elder law in Massachusetts for 25 years, starting the firm of Margolis & Bloom, which has offices in Boston, Dedham, Framingham and Woburn. He is a past Brookline Town Meeting member and member of its Bicycle Advisory Committee.

"The Governor's Council has a reputation for dysfunction which discourages qualified candidates to serve as judge as well as bringing down the reputation of government in general," Margolis said. "My hope is to improve the functioning and reputation of this important governmental body."

"We need judges who are smart, experienced, and fair minded, and who represent the diversity of Massachusetts."

Margolis has been endorsed by Rep. Frank Smizik, the Newton Board of Alderman Vice President Cheryl Lappin, and Brookline Selectman Ken Goldstein, among others.

Margolis lives in Brookline with his wife, Susan Phillips, and children, Maya and Jeremy, both completing their freshman year at Brookline High School.
Margolis is recognized as one of the leading elder law and special needs planning attorneys in Massachusetts, having pioneered the field 25 years ago.  He has been named a Super Lawyer and Fellow of both the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

For more information about the candidacy of Harry Margolis, go to www.harrysmargolis.com.