Hi Everyone!
Today a new SoapBlox blog is being launched all about Dedham. MyDedham.org has invited all the candidates in the special election to fill Bob Coughlin’s seat to participate on the blog. We hope they will, and we invite you to come over and participate in that discussion.
For those of you who live out of the area, but are still curious whats going on, it appears Joanne Flatley is the earlier leader in the sign wars. Bilafer and the others have a couple popping up, but Flatley and Obey are the only ones who have run townwide in the past few years and have locations ready to go.
MyDedham.org – a community since 1636 and online since 2007!
Please share widely!
While Flatley may appear to be winning the sign wars, SIGNS DON”T VOTE, PEOPLE DO!
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I think practical government experience is far more important in this race than who can put up more signs. While Obey may have run statewide previously and have some name recognition, it will still be a tough race for a Republican to win in this heavily Democratic District. I think the real race will be between Bilafer and Flatley. Although Flatley is on the School Committee, I think Bilafer has more day-to-day experience on Beacon Hill. He knocked on my door recently and I was impressed by him. I’ve made it my business to research all of these candidates. Although I don’t think I’ll ever agree 100% with any one candidate, I seem to be leaning toward Bilafer. He seems like an intelligent guy who has done his homework, and appears to be tirelessly campaigning. For me, Joanne Flatley doesn’t seem to have much substance to offer and Cheryl Schoenfeld seems a distant third. I’m willing to keep an open mind as the campaign progresses and see what the others can deliver, but if I were voting today, I’m pretty sure I would go with Bilafer.
Why don’t you come on over to MyDedham and discuss it at the post on Upcoming Primaries and Election for 11th Norfolk State Representative? You can share with the people of Dedham why you are leaning towards Bilafer. It will be more effective there where you can reach the actual voters.
Dedham is historically more conservative than many people think. If you look at the 2006 election results, Patrick carried 49% while Healey carried 41%. Mihos grabbed 7%. Now, Patrick was 9% ahead of Healey but you also have the Mihos factor. Had he not been in the race, Dedham would have been cut in half pretty evenly. .
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I personally believe that the Democrats will be so divided between all of their candidates that this will be a perfect opportunity for a Republican or independent to come out swinging.
after the primary I think they will all coalesce around whoever the Democratic nominee is. There was a bitter primary fight a couple years ago when Bob Coughlin knocked off Marian Lewis, but he topped the ticket in his hometown in all his following elections. Plus, there is Westwood and a piece of Walpole to consider as well. That said, I do think the Independent McMurtry has a decent shot, if the stars all align.