The Ubiquitous Jarrett Barrios

State Senator Jarrett Barrios seems to have some magic political mojo that makes things go his way. As though it weren’t enough that Tom Reilly’s shot at governor will allow Middlesex DA Martha Coakley to run for Attorney General, which will, in turn, allow Barrios a chance to run for DA in his home county, Barrios, being gay, married, and eloquent, has obtained quite a high profile as the (oh-so-handsome) face of gay marriage in the legislature. (Also, Bostonist likes him a lot.) And lately, it seems like every high-profile gay marriage that happens redounds to Barrios’s benefit: First, formerly anti-gay marriage state rep. Eugene O’Flaherty went to a gay friend’s wedding and, moved by the ceremony, changed his position on gay marriage. Advantage: Barrios. Then, the New York Times wedding section decided to feature a gay marriage in Chestnut Hill, and lo and behold, there’s Barrios, pictured chatting with one of the mom of one of the grooms. And read on: he officiated the ceremony and, according to the Times, received “thunderous applause” when he said that the couple was “fully and legally married.” How do you like that? He goes and does a nice thing by officiating his friends’ wedding, and the Times goes and picks the story up to give Barrios some free, top-quality political capital. Either he is actually a really nice guy whose cause is totally just, or his public relations people are solid-gold geniuses.

Bostonist likes this photo because Barrios appears to be rockin' the mic.