34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - (508) 222-7000
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Choices few on ballot
 Bill Bowles, left, walks pass Kate Jackson prior to the a debate between the two Democratic candidates for state representative Wednesday night at Attleboro City Hall. (Staff photo by Mike George)
Top Headlines There is not one contested race on the Republican ballot and five out of the 10 spots lack any candidate at all. The shortage of competition has local election officials predicting there will be a small voter turnout. "It has been very quiet in the office, so let's hope for 15 percent turnout," said Maryann Drain of the Attleboro election commission. "I think people are focused on November." On the Democratic side, there are primary races for U.S. Senate, Governor's Council and Bristol County Register of Probate. The big contest in Attleboro is the Democratic primary for state representative between City Councilor Bill Bowles and former Councilor Kate Jackson. The winner faces Republican George Ross, also a city councilor, on Nov. 4 for the right to succeed state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, who is retiring. The district includes all of Attleboro except Precinct 3B. Bowles has been running on his financial knowledge from his years as the council finance committee chairman. Jackson has been emphasizing her ability to form relations with other officials in order to get things done. Another contest getting a lot of attention is for the relatively obscure post of Bristol County Register of Probate. The campaign has been low key in the Attleboro area, but it's red hot in the Fall River and New Bedford area. There is an opening for the $110,000-a-year job because 36-year incumbent Robert Peck is retiring. Lawns in Fall River and New Bedford are littered with signs touting the candidates running. The candidates also have sent out several mailings and done telephone canvassing. Four of the candidates are Democrats: John DeJesus of Somerset, Gina DeRossi of Dartmouth and David Dennis and John O'Neil, both of Fall River. Primary voters will select one of the Democrats to run against Robert Heroux, a Republican from Taunton, and Roy Santos, an unenrolled candidate from New Bedford, in November. Another Democratic primary for a little-known elective office features incumbent governor's council member Kelly Timilty of Canton against challenger Bob Jubinville of Milton. Jubinville has been advertising heavily through direct mail literature to voters. The winner of the primary will take the seat on the council because there is no Republican candidate. U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., finds himself with a primary battle for the first time in years. Political newcomer Edward O'Reilly, a defense attorney from Gloucester, is running against the former presidential candidate. Republican Jeff Beatty is waiting in the wings to face the winner of the Democratic primary. The polls across the area will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.
Post Your Comments grega wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:52 PM: " figures... nothing but low ball slander from the Bowles supporters... classic " concern wrote on Sep 15, 2008 3:00 PM: " I am really interested what the candidates have to say. The debate did not "help" me in anyway. The state's budget is going to worse next year. I have a father on a fixed income. I am VERY worried about him: heat, gas prices, healthcare, etc. I want substance. " hope2008 wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:28 AM: " The Attleboro State Rep race has been called the "style vs substance" race. In all the times I read that Ms Jackson thinks that her style will get things done on Beacon Hill, why has not one reporter from the Sun asked the obvious question? - which would be - What did your "style" accomplish in your 8 years on the city council? Were they afraid to ask? Wouldn't this be a logical question that the voters should have heard a response to? In another city or town, it would have been the first and most substantive question. The "outburst" of a city councilor has gotten more attention than the accomplishments or lack of accomplishments from two would be State Representatives. Maybe in the general election, somebody will dare to ask the real question. What have you accomplished? " bunny wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:28 AM: " I was happy to watch the debate last Tuesday, as I thought it would give me a clearer picture of the issues and solutions to them,of the two adversaries.I was surprised to hear how totally unprepared Ms. Jackson was andthat she assumed she would get all the help she needs at the StateHouse. That is a very strange attitudewith which to approach anew position,especially,one as important as the one she aspires to. I would think that she would have made sure that she was ready to stand on her own two feet,ready to work for the people of Attleboro. I never saw any sign of that,throughout the debate. Ibelieve wewould all have a better chance at getting things done for usif we send Bill Bowles to the State House. " bear wrote on Sep 15, 2008 8:40 AM: " Anyone that has followed this rep. race MUST be aware that Ms. Jackson is not in any way, shape or form capable of doing this job. She received many votes for city council, but she accomplished nothing while serving. If it wasn't for the fact that she comes from a large family, and her husband has many connections she would have never been re-elected - EVER. She showed in the rep. race two years ago that she had nothing of substance to offer. So much so that myself, along with many other life long Democrats voted for John Lepper. She runs again this year and STILL has nothing of substance to offer. It's been two years and she couldn't learn anything about the issues? It also proves the point that union endorsements are a joke. Anyone of these union presidents that really researched these two candidates would not have picked Ms. Jackson. Of course unless they had a personal relationship with her husband. People of Attleboro the choice is clear. We are not electing the next prom queen. Having teeth whitening and other agmentations done still can't make you understand the real issues facing someone in this position. Go to the polls tomorrow and elect Bill Bowles. " or
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