PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State Sen. Rhoda Perry and state Rep. Edith Ajello have endorsed Angel Taveras for mayor, according to Taveras' campaign.

Perry has represented the East Side for nearly twenty years, serving as chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services since 2006 and chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Oversight.

Ajello has represented College Hill and Wayland Square since 1992 and chairs the House Committee to establish a permanent education funding formula. She is also manager of Rustigian Rugs in Fox Point.

The two East Side Democrats join a growing number of city politicians to throw their support to Taveras, including state Sen. Juan Pichardo, City Councilman Kevin Jackson, City Councilman Cliff Wood, City Councilman Leon Tejada, and former state Sen. Myrth York, who now heads his campaign committee.