Jamie Eldridge, a candidate for the Middlesex and Worcester State Senate District, held a successful fundraiser in Lowell this morning at the Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus.  Sponsored by State Senator Steve Panagiotakos and Attorneys Michael Gallagher, Richard Cavanaugh and Eileen Donoghue, about 50 people were in attendance including State Representative Kevin Murphy, UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, Lowell school committeeman John Leahy, and Bob Halpin of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council.  Jim Arciero, a candidate to succeed State Representative Geoff Hall was also in attendance.  Much of the speaking and chatter involved reminiscing about the special Congressional election in the spring of 2007 which included Donoghue and Eldridge as candidates.  The 27 debates held during that campaign obviously created some bonds between the candidates that have persevered beyond that election.  Although he faced two Lowell candidates in that race (Donoghue and Niki Tsongas), Eldridge made a very positive impression on many in Lowell with his forceful and articulate advocacy of controversial issues such as the need for single payer health care.  I’d often overhear audience members after some of the 27 debates remark, “I don’t agree with him on that issue, but I have a lot of respect for the way he fights for what he believes in.”  That approach may not have won Eldridge the Congressional election, but it created a reservoir of support that’s benefiting him today.