The Democratic candidates vying for the 3rd Suffolk State Representative Seat in the upcoming Special Election made their best pitches for some coveted endorsements before a packed auditorium hosting a joint Ward 4 and Ward 5 Democratic Committee Meeting this past Tuesday evening. In the end, the night belonged to Aaron Michlewtiz, who came away victorious after capturing the Ward 5 Committee Endorsement by an impressive 11-4 margin over Susan Passoni, with Lucy Rivera receiving one vote and newcomer Brian Ross receiving no votes. In Ward 4, Passoni, who is a Member of the Ward 4 Committee, will have to settle for “no endorsement” in the race from her own committee as she was also unable to garner enough votes for an endorsement.
“I am humbled by the support of the Ward 5 Democratic Committee and the members who supported me this evening” said Michlewitz shortly after the Ward 5 Chair, Rob Whitney, who voted to endorse Michlewitz, announced the results. “While all of the candidates did a superb job in trying to address the issues important to the Committees’ members, I feel that my message was the strongest and most consistent” he said. One point that seemed to resonate with Committee members was the need for consistency from the candidates. “As candidates looking to represent you, we need to ensure that we have your trust” said Michlewitz. “It is very important that we remain consistent in our positions-even if it means we may not get the endorsement of various organizations. I have been that candidate and will continue to be if I am fortunate enough to be elected.”
During the forum, Michlewitz stressed his 4 plus years experience working on the issues that matter most to the people of the Third Suffolk District. “Others can try to say that they have worked on the issues important to us, but seeing that I have actually done the work in all of these neighborhoods as the Constituent Services Director, I don’t think anyone can say that they know this District better” Michlewtiz explained.
Ward 5 Committee Member and State Representative Marty Walz was pleased with the result. “Aaron has a clear advantage over the other candidates. He has already demonstrated that he is effective at doing the work and understanding the issues that are so important to the people he hopes to represent. Obtaining a 2/3rds majority vote in Ward 5 is quite impressive. I am proud to be supporting his candidacy.”
A 2001 graduate of Northeastern University, Michlewitz, 30 served three years as the President of the North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC), worked since 2004 as the key point of contact for the residents of the 3rd Suffolk District as the Constituent Services Director and has been an active member of the Ward 3 Democratic Committee.
The 3rd Suffolk includes a diverse mix of Boston neighborhoods including: Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, North End and Waterfront as well as the South End and portions of lower Roxbury. Voters in Ward 5 Precinct 1 could make up a sizeable portion of the electorate on May 19th. The four Democratic Candidates will face off in a Special Democratic Primary scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2009. The Democratic Nominee will face Independent Candidate John Keith and Republican Candidate David Trumball in a Special General Election on June 16, 2009.
According to Bay Windows, Aaron has strong appeal to the gay male vote: http://www.baywindows.com/inde… And his positions on the issues of paramount concern to the LGBT community are stellar. He will bring strong support to both trans inclusion and anti-bullying legislation.
A few moments of interest from from the Wards 4 and 5 Democratic Committees forum.
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p>The candidates were asked to give comments on the proposed FY10 House budget and share their ideas on how to address the need for revenue. Susan Passoni, who touts her financial analysis expertise, didn’t even try to answer the question. After observing that it was a tough question, she discussed another topic entirely. It was odd since it should have been an easy question for her, if not the easiest of the night. Even a cursory read of the newspapers would have provided basic talking points about the budget, and all the candidates should be talking about the budget deficit.
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p>For the second time at a candidates’ forum, Susan also mis-stated the results of the 2007 special election. She said she lost by 200 votes when in fact it was 551. I have no idea why she would, twice, say something that can be easily verified. It does raise important questions about trustworthiness. Maybe she is trying to seem more sympathtic, but facts are troublesome things.
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p>As expected, the candidates were in two tiers, with Susan Passoni and Aaron Michlewitz being in the first tier and Lucy Rivera and Brian Ross being in the second. Aaron’s victory in Ward 5 and Susan’s inability to secure the endorsement of her own Ward 4 Committee were both surprises.
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For a North End resident it seems Michlewitz has a lot of support in the South End and Bay Village areas of the district.
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p>I am sure he will win his own Ward 3 endorsement(does anyone know when that is)
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p>This must be a blow to Pasoni, who as a South End resident and community leader – lost one caucus (w5) and wasn’t able to win the other (w4) is embarrasing!