EYEING THE HOUSE
PRIMARY CONTESTS
Ten Democratic incumbents in the House are eyeing primary challenges. Here's a look at the races locally:
NINTH ESSEX (Mark Falzone vs. Anthony Guardia)
DISTRICT INCLUDES: Two precincts of Lynn, one precinct of Lynnfield, eight precincts in Saugus and three precincts in Wakefield.
Coming off his fifth term, Rep. Mark Falzone faces a primary challenge from Anthony Guardia, a member of the Wakefield School Committee.
Guardia contends that Saugus is shortchanged on local aid, calls for zero-based budgeting and points to unfinished water main work as an issue in the race.
Falzone, on his Web site, says his tenure has seen "weed removal in Sluice and Flax Ponds" in Lynn, and notes that "Lynnfield has received state funding to build and renovate multiple new school buildings, Saugus has joined the State [Group Insurance Commission] and built the Shops at Saugus, and Wakefield has seen a major and much needed cleanup of Lake Quannapowitt."
OPEN SEATS
The House's 26 open seats are largely a result of members seeking higher office. Seven open seats feature just one candidate on the Democratic side. Eleven open seats feature a single Republican candidate, and seven open seats are uncontested by Republicans at all, including three in Suffolk County.
6TH ESSEX
OUTGOING REP: Mary Grant (D-Beverly)
DISTRICT INCLUDES: The city of Beverly.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES: Scott Houseman, a Beverly resident who runs a private law firm and once clerked for the Superior Court; and Jerald Parisella, also an attorney with a Beverly firm and assistant city solicitor for Salem.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES: Brett Schetzsle, a Beverly resident, works for Gillette and holds an MBA from Purdue University.
17TH ESSEX
OUTGOING REP: Barry Finegold (D-Andover)
DISTRICT INCLUDES: Six precincts of Andover, portions of two wards of Lawrence and two precincts of Tewksbury.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES: Frank Bonet, a Lawrence resident who served in the Army and has worked in human resources for the IRS; and Patricia Commane, an Andover resident and rehabilitation counselor for disabled adults.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES: Paul Adams, an Andover resident and longtime Republican political and policy consultant; and Salim Tabit, a local attorney.
EYEING THE SENATE
Four incumbent senators, none from the North Shore, are facing an intraparty nomination fight. Here's a look at their races. With eight senators departing, their districts are in play this fall. Here's a look at the two up for grabs north of Boston:
2ND ESSEX & MIDDLESEX
OUTGOING SENATOR: Susan Tucker (D-Andover)
DISTRICT INCLUDES: Lawrence, Andover, Dracut and Tewksbury.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES: Barry Finegold, an Andover resident, attorney and seven-term member of the House and co-chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee; John Kelly of Dracut, president of a local telephone workers' union chapter, has reportedly dropped out of contention for the nomination; Debbie Silberstein, an Andover resident, private practice lawyer and member of the Andover School Committee; and John Wilson, an Andover resident.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES: Patrick Rahilly, a Tewksbury resident and recent law school graduate who worked for a finance company for three years before going to law school; and Jamison Tomasek, an Andover resident, certified public accountant and former research director of a software company, president of a children's nonprofit called Kids College.
MIDDLESEX & ESSEX
OUTGOING SENATOR: Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield)
DISTRICT INCLUDES: Malden, five wards of Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Lynnfield.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES: Katherine Clark, an attorney and a second-term member of the House from Melrose who served six years on the Melrose School Committee; and Michael Day, a Stoneham resident, Mintz Levin attorney and former prosecutor.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE: Craig Spadafora, a Malden resident serving his fourth term as a city councilor and working as a financial analyst for Investors Capital in Lynnfield.
WAITING FOR NOVEMBER
More than half of the Democratic incumbents north of Boston have Republican opponents this November. They include Reps. Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead who's being opposed by Katherine Kozitza of Swampscott; Joyce Spiliotis, D-Peabody (Martin Scafidi, Peabody); and Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers (Danvers Selectman Daniel Bennett).
On the Senate side, only Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, is running unopposed. Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, faces both a Republican and independent opponent in the final election.
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