BEVERLY — Some, like Pat Grimes and attorney Jerry Parisella — seem ready to throw their hats into the ring. Others, including John Burke, are seriously toying with the idea. And a few, like Wes Slate and Tim Flaherty, are not ruling it out.
On the heels of state Rep. Mary Grant's announcement Wednesday that she will not seek re-election next fall, there's no lack of interest in who will fill her seat.
"There's an initial list," said Art Powell, a Beverly resident and a representative on the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee. "There's a lot of flutter. And then everyone takes two steps back and starts thinking about what is necessary, and what you have to do."
Phones are ringing and the conversations are flowing among Democrats about who will put their names on the ballot next year.
Republican Brett Schetzsle, who announced his candidacy in September, said he's interested to see who comes forward. His campaign has focused primarily on pointing out the differences between himself and Grant, and he said now it's time to switch gears.
"My campaign is about a certain set of issues," he said. "And it's going to be the same no matter who my opponent is."
Grimes, a former state employee who just won re-election as a councilor-at-large, is on that list.
"This is something I'm giving serious thought to," she said. "Right now, I'm someone who's uniquely poised for this position, and I think I can be effective in the seat."
As a city councilor for six years, she placed third in the election behind Paul Guanci and former state Rep. Mike Cahill, who topped the ticket by 76 votes. Both are considered potential mayoral candidates, and Grimes might be better suited for the Legislature, Powell said.
Ward 3 Councilor Burke, who ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Bill Scanlon on Nov. 3, said he doesn't expect to make a decision until after Thanksgiving.
"I am interested," he said. "I've had a few people call me, and I'm thinking about it."
One of those people was Duane Anderson, chairman of the Beverly Democratic City Committee.
"He has experience in and around the legislative process, and he has a lot of energy," Anderson said. The job is often demanding, with a lot of evening and after-hours work, and at 30 years old, he said, Burke's age can work to his advantage.
"I think he would be able to hit the ground running," he said. Of course, the seat is wide open, he added.
"It could be somebody we really don't know that well," he said. "It could be somebody new that decided to run."
To that end, Parisella has come forward.
"I'm seriously considering a run for state representative," said Parisella, an attorney with Alexander and Femino and assistant city solicitor in Salem. "I had thought about it back when Mike Cahill decided not to run, but the time wasn't right."
Parisella served as a press secretary to Congressman Nick Mavroules in the early 1990s and has done a lot of work behind the scenes.
"Although I haven't held a public office, I have a lot of public service experience," he said.
The jump from attorney to politician isn't uncommon, Powell said.
"There are a lot of attorneys on Beacon Hill," he said. "And let's face it, you're writing laws. It's not a bad marriage."
City Council President Tim Flaherty, who decided not to run for council this year, also said he might consider a rep race.
"I would be interested in possibly looking into it," he said. "But I would have to talk to my family and friends to see if that's the right move to do, for a lot of different reasons."
Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate, who just won re-election, said he wouldn't rule it out either.
"I've always been interested in politics and enjoy what I've been doing on the council," he said. "It's too early to make a commitment, but when opportunities present themselves, you always want to consider it. It's a big decision."
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
Syrian Boy Speaks Out, Survives Family Massacre
Judge Tells John Edwards Jury: Keep Deliberating
House Rejects Sex-selection Abortion Ban
Bush, Obama on Stage Together Share Laughs
SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth
Warming Gas Levels Hit 'Troubling Milestone'
Youngest-ever Speller Disappointed by Mistake
2 American Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt
Chen Guangcheng: 'Historic Transition' in China
New York City Seeks Big Drink Ban
Los Angeles Bans Plastic Grocery Bags
Raw Video: SpaceX Dragon Leaves Space Station
Police: Gunman Kills 5, Self in Seattle
Experts: Americans Must Prepare for Storm Season
Forest Fire Becomes New Mexico's Largest Ever
Montreal Police: Mailed Body Parts From Same Man
Facebook Expands Campus As Stock Shrinks
