There are some recent developments that have added to the number of open seats so I just wanted to start a thread for a roll call of those. Here are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Stephen Brewer – WHHM, announced retirement
Barry Finegold – 2EM, running for Treasurer; two declared Dems running
Tom Conroy – 13MI, running for Treasurer
Mike Costello – 1ES, announced retirement
Anne Gobi – 5WO, running for Brewer’s Senate seat
Jason Lewis – 31MI, just elected to State Senate
Kevin Murphy – 18 MI, appointed last night as City Manager of Lowell; possible opportunity for a Southeast Asian
Carl Sciortino – 34MI, announced resignation
Please drop in the comments any additional information, whether its other open seats you know of, or political buzz about who might be seeking these seats, what their chances are, quality of the candidates, or anything else of note about these races.
I believe all of the open seats are in Hampden County. Everybody in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties are staying put.
I’m point out 4th Hampden, because while filled by John Velis on 4/1, he may not have enough incumbency to stave off challengers yet. The GOP may try to field a candidate even with only a month to gather signatures and his opponent in the special may run too. The district is only Westfield.
House
9th Hampden
Atwater Park, East Springfield, Pine Point, 16 Acres and Outbelt neighborhood of Springfield as well as one precinct in Chicopee.
10th Hampden
North End, Downtown, South End and Forest Park areas of Springfield
Senate
1st Hampden & Hampshire
1/3 of Chicopee & Springfield each as well as Belchertown, East Longmeadow, Granby, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow & Wilbraham.
Good quality candidates in the race for Rep. Sciortino’s seat. http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2014/03/31/son-congressman-capuano-mulling-state-house-bid-wide-field-forming-race-succeed-sciortino/MWxYg8Zowp8zcjPNMOM6fK/story.html?utm_source=ML+14%2F04%2F01&utm_campaign=20140401ML&utm_medium=email
I wonder if being the son of Capuano hurts as much as helps. I’m inclined NOT to vote for dynasties myself, but that might make me the odd one out among MA Dems since there is never a Kennedy too many.
Guzik, Barnard, and Barber seemed the most promising based on their responses- eager to learn more.
They shouldn’t be automatic of course, but there’s always a good chance the next generation has learned from the previous one. Of course if you don’t like what you’ve seen from a particular family then that needs to be considered as well.
I happen to disagree on monarchy, but as long as they are subject to the same election rules as everyone else, you shouldn’t not vote for them just because another family member has also served.
Particularly for Lewis and Carl. Carl was a perfect progressive, and I worry that we could lose that seat to an Old Guard Somerville Dem, I really hope a progressive emerges there. Lewis also comes from a slightly more conservative home base in Winchester and Stoneham. While it seems unlikely a Republican could win, it’s important the right kind of Democrat does.
9th Worcester (Grafton, Northbridge, and Upton, as well as 3 and 5 of Westborough) due to the retirement of George Peterson (R). The Democratic candidate is Marty Green.
17th Worcester (Leicester, Worcester Ward 7, and Worcester Ward 8 Precincts 2, 3, and 4) due to the retirement of John Binienda. The Democratic candidates are Doug Belanger and Moses Dixon.
Also in Worcester County is the aforementioned 5th Worcester district where Anne Gobi is retiring; just thought I’d mention that the Democratic candidate there is Matt Castriotta, who is a selectman in Hubbardston.
Ryan Fattman’s seat, the 18th Worcester (Bellinghan, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge 1, 2, and 4, and Sutton 1 and 2). The Democratic candidates are Brenda Ennis, Mark Dowgiewicz, and David Cortese. Fattman is running for State Senate against Richard Moore.
Ryan Fattman’s seat, the 18th Worcester (Bellinghan, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge 1, 2, and 4, and Sutton 1 and 2). The Democratic candidates are Brenda Ennis, Mark Dowgiewicz, and David Cortese. Fattman is running for State Senate against Richard Moore.
…who, after his loss to Jason Lewis in the special election primary for State Senate, announced he would not be running for another term. Candidates who have announced for this seat are Malden City Councillors Steven Ultrino and Neil Kinnon. They are both Democrats, though Ultrino has received enthusiastic support from Malden progressives. More to come on this race.
That brought a big smile to my face
John Keenan, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy is not running for re-election. There are currently two announced candidates in the race, Police Chief Paul Tucker a Democratic and Danial Morris a Salem State sophomore is running as a Libertarian.
10th PLYMOUTH
Rep. Christine Canavan’s (D-Brockton) retirement has drawn three Democrats and a Republican: http://m.enterprisenews.com/article/20140226/News/140226971
1st BARNSTABLE
Rep. Cleon Turner’s (D-Dennis) retirement seems to have drawn three Democrats and two Republicans: http://m.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140225/NEWS/402250327/-1/rss04&template=wapart
PLYMOUTH & BARNSTABLE SENATE SEAT
Senate President Therese Murray’s (D-Plymouth) retirement has drawn a Democrat: http://m.falmouth.wickedlocal.com/article/20140303/NEWS/140309265?template=mobileArticle§=Elections&map=12341
and a Republican: http://m.falmouth.wickedlocal.com/article/20140209/NEWS/140206428?template=mobileArticle§=Elections&map=12341
1st PLYMOUTH
Rep Vinny deMacedo’s (R-Plymouth) decision to seek the Senate seat, leaves open his current district and has drawn two Plymouth Selectmen into the race, one Democrat and one Republican: http://959watd.com/blog/2014/03/plymouth-mahoney-to-run-for-selectman-and-state-rep/
There might be more, these off the top of my head…