"There were definitely people in Cambridgeport who I hadn't met earlier who were very supportive," he said. "I was glad they actually came out to the kickoff and contributed to my campaign."

The candidate said he also discussed possible endorsements from various civic groups represented at the event. "I will be discussing it further with them," he said.

Mark P. Goshko '85, president of the Massachusetts Log Cabin Club, said his group has already informally endorsed Spampinato's candidacy and that a formal announcement should follow.

"We haven't formally done that, but I'm sure we will," he said. "I think Jon is going to be an attractive candidate to many people you wouldn't expect to gravitate toward a Republican."

Goshko, who called Spampinato "one of our most active members," praised the candidate for his combination of fiscal conservatism and social responsibility.

And Alan Steinert Jr. '58, a board member of the Alliance for Change, said his group is currently actively courting several candidates for municipal races.

"We're interested in all good young people or good old people," Steinert said.

But Ed Feinman, a member of the Republican City Committee, said Spampinato may have difficulties because he is a newcomer.

"I think it's very difficult to win your first time out, as Cambridge history has shown," Feinman said.

And Spampinato acknowledged his needs to meet a great deal of voters in the next six months in order to succeed.

"I want to hit every door in Cambridgeport in the fall," he said. "Those are the people that are talking about a lot of the issues."