An update on the race in the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, and Middlesex Senate district:
As I’m sure many have heard, Senator Steve Brewer has chosen not to run for another term in the Senate. Representative Anne Gobi, from the 5th Worcester District, has declared her candidacy for the Democratic nomination. The Republicans still have their same two candidates, as I mentioned in my previous post on the subject. It might be a bit of an uphill battle, but Gobi is well liked within her district (I am a resident and plan to be a supporter) and neither of the two* Republican State Reps who live in the Senate district are yet running, as both have made previous endorsements in the primary and would thus have to do a walk-back. I think that Gobi has the right profile and the level of popularity necessary to win in the district, but I do have a personal bias.
*Previously I thought that only Rep. Todd Smola from Ware lived in the Senate district, but Rep. Peter Durant from Spencer does as well. No Democratic State Reps other than Gobi live in the district.
Christopher says
Any word on who will run for Gobi’s seat? Also, was Brewer concerned he could not get re-elected?
dunwichdem says
I haven’t heard of any options on Gobi’s seat yet, though I’m keeping my ears open. As to the latter, I don’t think Brewer feared losing, but I think being weary of campaigning may have been a factor. He rolled over his opponent in 2010, the worst year Dems have had in a while, I don’t see why he wouldn’t have this year as well.
dunwichdem says
Well, there is a Republican candidate as of now, no word on a Democrat yet.
Christopher says
Her district is centrally located and lies entirely within Brewer’s district.
seamusromney says
There are 160 House districts and only 4 Sen. So assuming they line up perfectly you’d get 4. More if they don’t line up so well. So who’s #4?
Christopher says
In MA Senate and House district lines don’t take each other into account at all. We do create Governor’s Council districts by combining five Senate districts for each. From what I can tell parts of 9 House districts lie within Brewer’s Senate district, but some are very small pieces so it is highly likely the Reps don’t live in Brewer’s district.
As an aside I believe Maryland does use the formula of every Senate district consisting of the entirety of three contiguous House districts.
dunwichdem says
Rep. Harrington (1st Middlesex), Rep. Ferguson (1st Worcester), Rep. Zlotnik (2nd Worcester District), Rep. Ashe (2nd Hampden), and Rep. Andrews (2nd Franklin) all represent towns that are also represented by Brewer on the Senate level, yet none live in the district.
Actually, Denise Andrews used to live in the district, but then Orange was moved into Sen. Rosenberg’s district at redistricting time (thus turning it from the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin district to the WHH & Middlesex District when it picked up Ashby instead).
HeartlandDem says
Representative Smola (R- Warren – not Ware) is a Palmer native that has represented the 1st Hampden since he stepped into the seat formerly held by Reed Hillman (R-Sturbridge) who was his mentor. Senator Brewer and Representative Smola have very close personal and professional relationships. Todd represents the towns that the two announced Republican candidates are from (Wales and Sturbridge). He is well respected and liked having served those communities for years beginning as an aide to Hillman and the state Rep himself.
Smola was one of the few legislators with the balls to oppose casinos. And even more impressive has been his ability to navigate his home town (he only recently married and moved from Palmer to Warren with his lovely bride) that was smothered by Mohegan Sun and local town council members promoting the casino. His town voted against the Mohegan Sun proposal in the November referendum. Smola was right and his position was validated by the vote. If Smola runs for the seat he will win the R-nomination.
A Smola-Gobi match up could be interesting. It would essentially be a moderate Republican vs. another blue-dog Democrat who has followed Speaker directives throughout her career. Gobi is however pro-choice while Brewer is anti-choice, he is also pro-gun lobby and filed the “Stand your Ground” legislation in the senate. It has not been a progressive district but it has not had progressive leadership, either. It has had a solid blue-dog Democrat in the senate seat who bent over for leadership on the casino vote despite the district’s strong opposition in Palmer and the surrounding communities. None of the potential candidates mentioned to date would be considered a progressive voter in my perspective. Both Smola and Gobi are hard workers with strong constituent outreach and services who have benefited from the tutelage of Senator Brewer.
dunwichdem says
Forgot about Smola’s move to Warren. Someday I’ll put up a diary without an obvious error, I swear.
I think if Smola chooses to run he’ll be a formidable candidate, but I think Gobi would have a slight edge, especially if she has an uncontested primary. She’s been opposed in her House races every cycle (and recently had to step up campaigning in a few new towns) whereas I believe Smola’s only ever had one or two opponents in his career.
HeartlandDem says
Smola’s out and states he will support Valanzola (R-Wales – population 1,838 đŸ˜‰
Gobi (D-Spencer – population 11,668) has a strong advantage over the lessor known two declared Republicans. She campaigns hard and seems to thoroughly enjoy people. And, she is located smack-dab in the center of the largely rural winding district.
Looks like there’s a good possibility of another D-female in the state Senate come 2015.