As we’ve discussed at some length here, the primary to succeed retiring Senate Prez Travaglini is going on today in the 1st Suffolk and Middlesex district (parts of Boston, Revere, Chelsea Winthrop, and Cambridge). It pits Revere City Councilor Dan Rizzo against 8-year East Boston State Rep. Anthony Petrucelli.
Here’s the nutshell from the Globe’s article today:
Rizzo has framed the campaign — in which the candidates have nearly identical views on the major issues — as his assault on entrenched powers.
“I owe loyalties to no one. There’s no lobbyist that I have to report back to, there’s no inside Beacon Hill power brokers I have to report back to,” he said. “The only people I have to report back to is the voters.”
Petruccelli dismissed such talk as “ridiculous,” saying his legislative record is proof he would be the more effective senator.
“My campaign has not been about rhetoric, as I would suggest his has been. Mine has been about accomplishments,” he said. “I have a record of standing up against discrimination, against Massport, for the environment.”
Predictions?
Anthony Petrucelli 65%
Dan Rizzon 33%
Other/Blank 2%
Turnout at 10.4%
<
p>
Is there a prize?
if trav, i mean trav’s annointed one, does not win considering that menino, trav, sal and every lobbyist they could hit up to finance this campaign for Anthony is working overtime to deliver this seat for Boston, it will be amazing.
<
p>
Rizzo is right, it’s about rearranging the deck chairs on Beacon Hill…he will be outspent 4 to 1…if this long shot wins or even gets close, it will be a testament to those who have not given up completely on this rancid system.
<
p>
Voters stay home when they believe that what they think or what they care about does not matter…and voting does not matter.
Mike Capuano of Somerville represents many of us in Boston, so does Senator Barrios. It’s not where you’re from, it’s what you are for and what you can do. that’s why the Cambridge Chronicle, Mass Equality and so many others hve endorsed Rep. Petruccelli.
<
p>
Best wishes for a good clean election, the fact that each candidate has their partisans speaks well for both of them in this case.
<
p>
H.
HLPeary – so I assume that if Rizzo had one you would not support him for re-election, because then he would be an insider and have been annointed by the Senate President and have received lobbyist $$?
<
p>
Your comments are unfounded and make little sense!
60% to 40%. Rizzo did good job in getting revere vote out.
I took a walk around my neighborhood in Cambridge (Central Square and Cambridgeport) around 9:30-10:00am and checked the turnout figures from the voting machines.
<
p>
4-1 had 21 voters
4-2 had 19 voters
5-1 had 45 voters
5-2 also had 45 voters
<
p>
Considering that usually around a quarter to a third of all voters have voted by 10am it will be a pretty small showing for these precincts by the end of the day. In last year’s primary these four precincts cast almost 2500 votes.
<
p>
I would imagine East Boston and Revere are showing some life today but Cambridge is very quiet.
<
p>
By the way, Petrucelli had some very bored looking poll-checkers working at least two of those precincts.
I am voting after work. Petrucelli seems just great, but I don’t want to risk his East Boston seat.
<
p>
Go Rizzo!
Here’s one good contender for starters:
<
p>
Gay state rep. for Eastie?
Hyde and the folks at MGLPC aren?t the only gays pulling for Petruccelli. Carol Aloisi, the chief of staff to state Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera of Springfield and the secretary of the Mass. Democratic Party, is mulling a run for Petruccelli?s East Boston House seat should he make the leap to the Senate. ?I?ve been seriously considering running for his seat,? said Aloisi when we caught up with her at the state Dem?s May 19 convention in Amherst. ?[T]hese special elections don?t come up very often. I think it?s really key that we put in someone who is progressive who can really jump in and hit the ground running at the State House.? In addition to working for Rivera, who is also openly gay, Aloisi has served as the chief of staff to state Rep. Tim Toomey.
<
p>
In a measure of just how serious she is about making a grab for the seat, Aloisi, a lifelong Eastie resident, said she?s already made her intentions known to Mayor Thomas Menino, who?s certain to exert influence in the race, either publicly or behind the scenes. Aloisi, who is a board member of Bay State Stonewall Democrats, has also talked up her potential candidacy with LGBT leaders like MassEquality?s Marc Solomon (?So he doesn?t jump the gun and endorse someone else,? she said) and MGLPC Co-Chair Arline Isaacson. Her major challenge will be raising enough campaign cash to be competitive, given that state employees are barred from fundraising activities and Aloisi can?t afford to quit her job to campaign. But after nearly 17 years on the Democratic State Committee and her tenure at the State House, Aloisi has made a few fundraising connections. ?[J]ust here this weekend I can?t tell you how many people have come up to me saying, ?Whatever you need, as soon as you make the final decision, let me know.? I?m actually feeling much more comfortable after this weekend about my ability to raise the money,? said Aloisi. ?I think it?s because of my years of work that they?re just willing to come out and support me.?
Whatever you are implying, it is insulting. I don’t have any hidden agenda and I don’t work for any campaign. I like both candidates, and that really is the tie-breaker for me, as one voter in the district. I’m not “trying” anything.
<
p>
If Petruccelli wins (and I assume he will) I will be happy to do what I can to support a progressive running to replace him in East Boston. But I don’t live there, so it isn’t my vote – and frankly, the fact that an underfunded longshot who happens to be gay MIGHT run doesn’t put all my fears to rest.
<
p>
If you want to win votes for your guy, try being less confrontational.
To call attention to a potential progressive candidate from Eastie. Anyway, it is important now.
I meant Winthrop. Who wrote these damn lines anyway?