Special Elections Update

Two developments on the special election front today. First, the candidates in the race to replace former Senate President and soon-to-be-lobbyist Robert Travaglini are now set. The Herald's Casey Ross got the list from the Secretary of State's office, and only two candidates returned nomination papers, current state Rep Anthony Petruccelli (D-East Boston) and Revere City Councilor Dan Rizzo. For the second special election out of three this year, the Republicans will not field a candidate. Given that they are down to only five members of the state Senate, I'm a little surprised that they weren't able to recruit anyone to at least wave the GOP flag for a few weeks.

In some positive news for the state Republicans, it looks like they will field at least one candidate to run for the fifth district seat being vacated by Congressman Marty Meehan. Dracut Republican Jim Ogonowski, brother of one of the pilots killed on 9/11 and 28 year Air Force veteran, officially announced his candidacy today. His website is a little thin on the details of his candidacy, so it's a little difficult to predict what kind of a candidate he'd be. Still, despite his name recognition, I think he'd have a tough time if Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan is still interested in the seat.