With hardly a wasted day after the sad and unexpected death of State Senator Charlie Shannon (D-Winchester) earlier this week, the political rat-race to replace him has begun. Already some local politicians have been working phones trying to feel out their chances for that seat. Interestingly, though the 2nd Middlesex District includes parts of the late Senator's hometown of Winchester, as well as Woburn, Medford, and Somerville, most of the people around whom speculation is circulating hail from the latter.
Bostonist's informants report that as soon as he heard the news, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone cancelled most public events for the week, and has been very hard to reach--allegedly spending most of his time on the phone feeling out his chances. Such a move would be unexpected for the popular first-term mayor who would have to forgo what seems like a relatively easy re-election victory for a heated special primary that will likely happen just a months before the November municipal election.
Other Somervillians being mentioned for the race include former Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay. Though she lost her 2003 bid for re-election to then-Alderman Curtatone, it has been rumored lately that she is itching to get back into politics.
There has also been speculation surrounding Representative Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), the only official in the State House whose district encompasses just Somerville. As a progressive in a house that until recently was controlled by conservative forces, Jehlen has not been able to win much favor on Beacon Hill. Despite leadership changes in the House this year that netted her a spot on the powerful Housing committee, she may feel the desire to leave a body that still forces her to share a hallway with Governor Mitt Romney.
Also coming from Somerville is Alderman Sean O'Donovan who represents the City's 5th Ward (Magoun Square neighborhood). O'Donovan is a two-term Alderman who is creeping his way up the political ladder in Somerville, having begun his political life on the School Committee in 1995. He hasn't made a particularly negative image for himself during his service, but the again hasn't made a particularly positive one either -- he's hardly the most visible Somerville politician.
Finally, there is buzz around former State Representative Vinnie Ciampa (D-Somerville) who, despite being a seven term incumbent, twice lost to a political novice last year. Ciampa's chances for this seat seem small, having fallen out of favor with many Somerville residents after running a negative sticker campaign last year (after losing the primary) with support from strong anti-gay organizations.
Bostonist promises to bring more analysis as the race develops, and as non-Somerville politicians in the district emerge from the woodwork.
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