In case you haven't heard — and even the candidates say it doesn't seem to have registered with many people yet — there's an election next Tuesday.
On Sept. 14 Republicans and Democrats, along with independents, will go to the polls to select the major-party candidates in several statewide, regional and legislative races.
Here on the North Shore, the most-watched primary contest is that in Beverly where two established Democrats — Jerry Parisella and Scott Houseman — are vying for the right to be their party's nominee for the 6th Essex state representative seat being vacated by Mary Grant, who opted not to seek re-election after four terms. The winner will face Republican Brett Schetzsle in the November final.
There is another race on Tuesday, however, that will constitute a de-facto final election. Incumbent Governor's Councilor Mary Ellen Manning of Salem is being challenged by Jason Panos of Peabody in the Democratic primary.
There being no Republican candidate for the seat, the winner of that contest will have a free ride in November.
The major regional contest on the Republican side pits Bill Hudak of Boxford against Robert McCarthy of Saugus for the right to take on incumbent U.S. Rep. John Tierney, D-Salem, in November.
Republicans this cycle have done a good job recruiting candidates for the region's state House and Senate seats. Ironically in a state and region dominated by Democrats, two of the three incumbents who face neither a primary nor general election challenge (Sen. Bruce Tarr of Gloucester and Rep. Brad Hill of Ipswich) are Republicans. (The other one is Rep. John Keenan, D-Salem.) Statewide, there are contests for both the Democratic and Republican nominations for state auditor, as well as a race for the Democratic nomination for treasurer. (See below.)
So while the number of contests is limited, there's reason for all, regardless of political stripe or place of residence, to go to the polls Tuesday. Besides, it's good practice for Nov. 2, when there will be a race for governor and several key ballot questions to be decided.
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