(Worcester Telegram) A Democratic primary challenger to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, in the 1st Congressional District has landed endorsements from progressive groups despite her connection to a Muslim cleric who called the Supreme Court ruling upholding same-sex marriage the “darkest day in human history,” and whose followers claim ISIS terrorists are secretly allied with Israel in a bid to control the world.
“We did not ask (her) about her religious beliefs,” Russell Freedman, state coordinator of Progressive Democrats of America, said of his group’s endorsement of Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, which he said was based on her answers to the group’s questionnaire.
Ms. Amatul-Wadud, 44, of Chicopee, an African-American Muslim lawyer and mother of seven, is making her first run for office in challenging 15-term Democratic incumbent Mr. Neal, dean of Massachusetts’ delegation to the House of Representatives.
