Jimmy Tingle, the comedian and newly declared Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, has signed up a member of the old guard as his honorary campaign chairman.
Former congressman Barney Frank, who stepped down in 2013 after more than two decades in the US House, will campaign with Tingle, the Cambridge comic said, after “encouraging me for months to get in” the race.
Tingle and Frank campaigned and raised money for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton last year at local house parties, where, Frank said, he was the “opening act.” After the campaign, Tingle said, the two went out for lunch and he informed the retired congressman about his intentions to run for the state’s No. 2 post.
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“Without missing a beat,” Tingle recalled, “he said, ‘That’s exactly what I was thinking.’ ”
Frank described himself as “very enthusiastic” and called Tingle “knowledgeable and thoughtful.”
Frank said Tingle could appeal to young people whose connection to politics comes through comedy programs like “The Daily Show.”
“He’s funny in a way that takes political points and hammers them home,” Frank said.
Democrat Quentin Palfrey, a former Obama administration official, has also announced he’s seeking the lieutenant governor nomination.
Republican Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito will probably run for reelection on the ticket with Republican Governor Charlie Baker.
Jim O’Sullivan can be reached at jim.osullivan@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JOSreports.