Plenty of hopefuls for Statehouse seats
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:22 AM EDT
State Rep. Steve D'Amico, a freshman Democrat, and Rep. Betty Poirier, a veteran Republican, will get free rides in the November elections, but there is no shortage of candidates in other area legislative races.
The crowded fields of candidates locally buck a statewide trend where relatively few incumbents have opponents and Republicans are not contesting most positions.
The local contingent of candidates includes three people running for state representative in Attleboro, three more in the Plainville-Wrentham-Norfolk district, a young Democrat who wants to bump off Rep. Jay Barrows and opponents for Sens. Scott Brown and James Timilty.
All of the local candidates will be vying for attention with the presidential race.
D'Amico, D-Seekonk, said he is surprised but pleased that he does not have an opponent.
He said he enjoys campaigning and is not afraid to defend his record, but he could use the time to regroup after a hectic two years with many personal changes, including his wife dying of cancer.
"I'm happy. I could use the summer to get my life back together," he said.
D'Amico said he hoped not having an opponent is a sign voters are pleased with his job performance.
"I've tried to be accessible to people and responsive," he said.
Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said the three-way race in Attleboro is understandable because there is an open seat due to the retirement of Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro.
"Not having an incumbent is a huge draw," she said.
Poirier said she did not have any theories why there are so many candidates for other legislative posts in the area. She said the statewide election picture is a "mixed bag," with a few of her colleagues having opponents and many others running unopposed.
As for herself, she said she has worked hard and been visible in the district so she hopes voters are pleased.
"I'd like to believe it means I'm doing a good job," she said.
In Attleboro, Democrats Kate Jackson and Bill Bowles along with Republican George Ross are running for Lepper's seat.
Jackson and Bowles will square off in a September primary with the winner facing Ross in November.
In the Plainville-Wrentham-Norfolk district, another Ross, Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, has two independents who want to unseat him.
Thomas Roache of Medfield and Conally Kight of Wrentham have taken out nomination papers to run against Ross.
None of the candidacies are official until the signatures on nomination papers are certified and filed with the secretary of state's official.
Barrows, R-Mansfield, will take on Democrat Devin Romanul, a 23-year-old Mansfield resident.
On the Senate side, Brown, R-Wrentham, is being challenged by Sara Orozco of Needham in a district that includes part of Attleboro and all of North Attleboro, Plainville, Wrentham and Norfolk.
Timilty, D-Walpole, has a Republican opponent in Jon Rockwood, the town moderator in Walpole. The district also includes half of Attleboro along with Seekonk, Rehoboth, Mansfield, Norton and Foxboro.
