Pelosi backs Capuano for MA Senate race

BOSTON (AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is backing U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano in the special election for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward Kennedy.

Pelosi called Capuano's decision to vote for a sweeping health care overhaul "courageous" and said he played a constructive role in improving the bill and moving it to the Senate.

She also pointed to his support of gay marriage and his early opposition to the Iraq War.

Capuano needs a boost as polls show him trailing fellow Democrat Martha Coakley, the state attorney general.

City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca are also vying for the Democratic nomination.

State Sen. Scott Brown and businessman Jack E. Robinson are competing for the Republican nomination.