1Democrats, who held 144 of 160 House seats and 35 of 40 Senate seats when the current session began, appear to be putting little effort into expanding their huge margin in the Legislature, fielding no candidates in 16 of 21 legislative districts held by Republicans.
Republicans are also laying off their own, with no GOP incumbents facing intraparty challenges Sept. 14.
In what has been viewed as a season of change, fueled by voter anger over public corruption and a down economy, just 10 House Democrats and four Senate Democrats face primary opposition, with 135 Democratic incumbents scheduled to coast through the primary elections unopposed.
Twenty-six House seats are open, with their current occupants retiring, launching campaigns for higher office, or, in the case of Rep. Robert Nyman, passing away.
Here on the North Shore, state Rep. Mary Grant, D-Beverly, opted not to seek re-election after four terms. Jerald Parisella and Scott Houseman will compete for the Democratic nomination in the Sept. 14 primary, and the winner will face Republican Brett Schetzsle in the fall.
In the Senate, eight seats are open, including the seat held by Minority Leader Richard Tisei, R-Wakefield, whose run for lieutenant governor ensures that there will be a new Senate minority leader in 2011.
Unless an unenrolled candidate jumps in, 12 House Republican incumbents will cruise to re-election unchallenged in the primary or general election. Three, Reps. Susan Gifford, Daniel Webster and George Peterson will take on Democratic challengers in the fall.
In the Senate, all four incumbent Republicans seeking re-election face no primary or Democratic opposition.
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