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SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

ATTLEBORO - Elected officials, political aspirants and dozens of Democrats turned out Saturday morning at the Moose Cabin Family Steak House in Attleboro for the 11th annual Southeastern Massachusetts Democratic Regional Spring Unity Brunch.

Paul Grady, chairman of the Democratic City Committee, said about 150 people attended the annual election season kickoff event.

"It went very well," he said.

The headliner at the event was U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, who represents part of the Attleboro area in Congress. McGovern gave the crowd some political red meat on the topic of the fall presidential race:

"This is how you spell McCain: B-U-S-H."

Along with McGovern, other officials in attendance included state Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, state Rep. Steve D'Amico, D-Seekonk, Norfolk District Attorney William Keating, and Mass. Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh.

Walsh handed out certificates to 16 people with 20 or more years as active members of the city Democratic committee.

A number of candidates also took part, incuding:

State Senate candidate Sara Orozco, who is running against state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham.

State representative candidates City Councilor Bill Bowles and former Councilor Kate Jackson, who will meet in a September primary, with the winner facing Republican and City Councilor George Ross in November to decide who will fill the seat to be vacated by state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro; and Devin Romanul, who is challenging state Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield.

Also: Register of probate candidates David Dennis, Gina DeRossi, John DeJesus, and John O'Neill.

Governor's council candidate Robert Jubinville.

U.S. Senate candidate Ed O'Reilly, who is challenging incumbent John Kerry. City council candidate Joseph Lazzerini.

Along with Attleboro residents, the attendees included people from Easton, Lakeville, Mansfield, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, Norton, North Attleboro, Plainville, Raynham, Seekonk, Stoughton, and Wrentham. The national anthem was sung by Lori Pasqualino.

"The point is to let people from one city or town let people from another city or town know what they're doing - things to do, and things to avoid," Grady said.

Interviews with guests at the breakfasts, as well as their speeches, were taped for a cable program that will be broadcast on Attleboro's local cable TV Channel 15 starting in about two weeks.