Dates Set for Special Elections

With all the talk of Health Care reform and undocumented immigrants, I missed the announcement last week of the dates for the three special elections for the Massachusetts Statehouse. According to Bill Galvin's office, the primary is scheduled for January 10th of next year, and the general is scheduled for February 7th for all three. The January primary must be a little worrisome for the potential candidates, given that the bulk of their campaign time is going to be taken up by Christmas and New Years, but better in January than in the week between the two, I suppose.

The elections will be held in the 1st Bristol, 27th Middlesex, and 2nd Worcester districts. The 1st Bristol seat became open when Michael Coppola (R-Foxboro) passed away a few months ago and the Mansfield News reports that Ginny Coppola, Coppola's widow and Paul Feeney, an aide to state Sen. James Timilty (D-Walpole) are both considering a run. The 27th Middlesex opened up after the September elections that elevated Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) to the state Senate. Candidates to replace her, according to the Somerville Journal, include Alderman at Large Denise Provost, Somerville Planning Board member Elizabeth Moroney, Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan and Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero. In the 2nd Worcester, Brian Knuuttila (D-Gardner) left to join Worcester County Sheriff's office and according to the Sentinel and Enterprise, the Republican Chairman of the Ashburnham Board of Selectmen, Jonathan Dennehy, is considering a run to replace him. Candidates have to decide one way or the other by November 29th.

Update: Susan of Beyond 495 has her take on the 2nd Worcester election.