Again this year, the Daily News has offered local candidates for state office the opportunity to communicate directly with voters. All candidates in contested, local races for the Massachusetts Legislature have been invited to submit 150-word essays, which will appear each Sunday  in the Opinion section up to the Nov. 4 election. Candidates in uncontested races may also submit statements, which will appear as space allows.

Again this year, the Daily News has offered local candidates for state office the opportunity to communicate directly with voters. All candidates in contested, local races for the Massachusetts Legislature have been invited to submit 150-word essays, which will appear each Sunday  in the Opinion section up to the Nov. 4 election. Candidates in uncontested races may also submit statements, which will appear as space allows.

Again this year, the Daily News has offered local candidates for state office the opportunity to communicate directly with voters. All candidates in contested, local races for the Massachusetts Legislature have been invited to submit 150-word essays, which will appear each Sunday  in the Opinion section up to the Nov. 4 election. Candidates in uncontested races may also submit statements, which will appear as space allows.

Again this year, the Daily News has offered local candidates for state office the opportunity to communicate directly with voters. All candidates in contested, local races for the Massachusetts Legislature have been invited to submit 150-word essays, which will appear each Sunday  in the Opinion section up to the Nov. 4 election. Candidates in uncontested races may also submit statements, which will appear as space allows.

The House can be a frustrating place for a freshman legislator, especially one without connections to the Boston power structure. Success, both on district and statewide issues, depends on the legislator's ability to take the initiative, build coalitions and navigate an intricate legislative process. Lenny Golder has the experience, knowledge and ability to succeed.

The Daily News has made its endorsements and the candidates have been debating for months. Consider this space a forum for readers to make their case for the candidates in the 3rd Middlesex House race. The district includes Hudson, Maynard, Stow and Bolton. Democrats Kate Hogan, Ellen Sturgis and Lenny Golder are competing in the Sept. 16 primary, with the winner to square off against Republican Sonny Parente. Please keep your comments civil; those that are gratuitously insulting will be removed.

The Daily News has made its endorsements and the candidates have been debating for months. Consider this space a forum for readers to make their case for the candidates in the 6th Middlesex House race. The district covers roughly the northern precincts of Framingham. Rep. Pam Richardson, Dawn Harkness and Chris Walsh are seeking the Democratic nomination in the Sept. 16 primary, and there are no declared Republican candidates. Please keep your comments civil; those that are gratuitously insulting will be removed.

The Daily News has made its endorsements and the candidates have been debating for months. Consider this space a forum for readers to make their case for the candidates in the 4th Middlesex House race. The district includes Marlborough, Berlin and part of Southborough. Danielle Gregoire and Matt Giancola are seeking the Democratic nomination in the Sept. 16 primary, with the winner facing Republican Arthur Vigeant.  Please keep your comments civil; those that are gratuitously insulting will be removed.

The Daily News has made its endorsements and the candidates have been debating for months. Consider this space a forum for readers to make their case for the candidates in the 8th Middlesex House race. The district includes Holliston, Hopkinton, and parts of Medway, Southborough and Westborough. Carolyn Dykema and Ed Mills are seeking the Democratic nomination in the Sept. 16 primary, with the winner facing Republican Dan Haley.  Please keep your comments civil; those that are gratuitously insulting will be removed.

Dawn Harkness is the strongest of the three candidates: A public servant who does her own homework and builds her own coalitions, who listens carefully and speaks with confidence, who thinks outside the box and moves ahead of the curve.