PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Myrth York, a mainstay in local Democratic politics, has announced that she's backing Tom Sgouros' candidacy for general treasurer.

"Since the early 1990's, Tom has worked alongside and for progressive candidates -- like me -- and community organizations," York writes in a statement distributed by the Sgouros campaign. "Now, he's ready to take his knowledge and expertise to the State House."

You may recall that York made news with another political endorsement back in 2006. That's the year she broke ranks with the Democratic establishment by supporting Republican Lincoln Chafee over Senate hopeful Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.

The endorsement, of course, didn't work out well for Chafee, who lost his reelection bid.

But Sgouros, the only announced candidate for state treasurer, is not shying away from any endorsements at this point.

His campaign committee, according to Tuesday's announcement, includes Democratic state lawmakers Reps. Arthur Handy, David Segal and Chris Fierro -- all known as more liberal members of the Democrat-dominated House -- and Patrick Crowley, assistant executive director of the National Education Association Rhode Island.

A 48-year-old North Kingstown resident, Sgouros has never run for statewide office. He consults as a software engineer and technical writer, and also publishes a newsletter that focuses on Rhode Island's economic policies.

York refers to him as a friend in her statement.

"As you probably know, the key thing we can do to help Tom between now and the end of the year is to help him raise money so that he kicks off his campaign as strongly as possible," York wrote. "I am donating as much as I can to his campaign myself, and I am writing to ask you to join me."