This year, it is hard to complain about a lack of candidates to vote for in local state politics, as several races have more than one candidate.
The 10th Suffolk District race has six Democrats on the September primary: Paul P. Sullivan, Kelly A. Tynan, Pamela S. Julian, Matthew J. Benedetti, Edward F. Coppinger and Robert Joyce.
There are no Republican candidates. So whoever wins the September primary will replace state Rep. Mike Rush, who is running for state Senate in hopes of replacing state Sen. Marian Walsh, who announced that she is not seeking re-election.
In regards to the 10th Suffolk District seat, which represents all of West Roxbury and small portions of Brookline and Roslindale, several of the candidates are already well known to the public.
Joyce ran as independent state Senate candidate in 2004 with an emphasis on wanting to vote on same-sex marriage, as he was against it.
Julian ran unsuccessfully two years ago for state rep.
This week, Tynan called for at least three debates before the Primary Election on Sept. 14.
“I am asking our community leaders for at least three debates before the Primary Election,” said Tynan. “The issues facing West Roxbury, Roslindale and Brookline are too important not to have multiple candidate debates. The voters of this district need to know where each candidate stands on issues such as education, public safety and the economy.
“My understanding is that at least one Ward Committee is planning to schedule a debate, but I believe we need at least a few candidate debates in order to educate the voters on our issue positions and highlight our different backgrounds and experiences. As I talk with voters throughout the district, many are seeking additional information from the candidates. I feel it does the voters a disservice not to have debates scheduled for all areas of the district.”
In the state Senate race, Rush will face off against Michael S. Walsh in the September Democratic primary, while Republican Brad Williams will await the winner for the November election.
State Rep. Angelo Scaccia, who represents the 14th Suffolk District, which includes parts of Roslindale, is unopposed this year, according to the Secretary of State office.
Fellow incumbent state Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez has one opponent in Democrat Jeffrey A. Herman.
The 6th Suffolk District seat currently held by Willie Mae Allen, who is not seeking re-election, has five Democrats on the September primary: Darrin D’Wayne Howell, Karen L. Payne, Kathy Gabriel, Russell E. Holmes and Divo Rodrigues Monteiro. No Republicans are in this race.
U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch, D-9th, also has challengers with Democrat MacDonald K. D’Alessandro, Roslindale Republican Keith P. Lepor, and independent Phil Dunklebarger.
