Dianne Wilkerson's dramatic saga continues, but her reelection campaign doesn't. After clergy members and minority leaders called for the accused senator to resign, she has (according to the Globe) at least canceled her reelection campaign, but not officially resigned from the senate. Wilkerson says she'll make that decision on November 5. Already bested by Sonia Chang-Diaz in an election and a recount, Wilkerson had been planning to continue her write-in reelection campaign despite recent charges of accepting bribes. The state senate passed a resolution on Thursday asking Wilkerson to resign, and is now taking steps toward a vote to expel her.
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Sonia Chang-Diaz eked by incumbent Dianne Wilkerson in yesterday's state senate primary for the second Suffolk district. Wilkerson, who supported gay rights and fought racial profiling during her tenure, had also been fined for campaign finance violations and served time in a halfway house for tax evatsion. Chang-Diaz claimed personal contact with voters helped her win, while Wilkerson attributed the victory to better financing. Wilkerson supporters worried about the future of the district, while Chang-Diaz supporters were glad to have a fresh face on the ballot. If elected, Chang-Diaz would be the first Hispanic woman in the state Senate. Wilkerson had been the only black woman in the state senate. Let's hear it for diversity in Massachusetts.
As the case against Arlington Senator Jim Marzilli continues to develop, more women are stepping forward with accusations. Although no additional charges have been filed, he already has plenty after Tuesday's debacle, as many as 5 women are saying they were also the victims of Marzilli's inappropriate comments and advances.
