Danvers firefighters have joined their brethren in Peabody and Salem, likewise pledging their support to John Slattery in the State Senate race.

Slattery, who is running against Mary-Ellen Manning and Joan Lovely to succeed Peabody's Fred Berry for the 2nd Essex District seat, met with union membership last Thursday. A letter from IAFF Local 2038 President Brian Barry on Friday announced that the union was endorsing Slattery.

Slattery said he was honored to have the support.

"John has a proven record of being proactive in his support of public service and the working class at both the state and local levels. We feel that John would bring much needed strength, leadership and experience to the 2nd Essex Senate District during these tough economic times," Barry wrote.

Slattery is a former state Representative for Peabody and served one term as a city councilor prior to that.

Lovely recently issued a challenge to her opponents to not accept endorsements from political action committees and special interests, including unions.