Special Election Set: Field Starts to Take Shape Nomination Papers Due Jan 22

The race to succeed disgraced State Representative Stephen “Stat” Smith as Everett’s next Representative is starting to get clearer this week, after the Secretary of State’s office announced the schedule for a special election to replace Smith, and potential candidates began jockeying for position.

According to the state, the primary for the seat will be held on March 5, 2013 and the general election will be held one month later on April 2, 2013. Nomination papers will be due to the Everett City Clerk by January 22, less than two weeks from the date of this story.

To date, eight candidates have confirmed their interest in running for the seat, including five registered democrats and three who are likely to run as independent candidates. Several other rumored candidates have evidently withdrawn from the race or decided to support other candidates.

Among those who have confirmed their interest to the Independent are Common Councilors Wayne Mattewsky and Sergio Cornelio, running as Democrats and Councilor Rosa DiFlorio, an independent or unenrolled candidate. Aldermen Michael Mangan and Joseph McGonagle are both running as Democrats, as is former Mayor and City Clerk John Hanlon.

School Committee member Joseph LaMonica is running unenrolled and Cynthia Sarni is also believed to be considering a run as an independent.

Common Councilor Michael McLaughlin and Alderman Michael Marchese were both rumored to be considering running, but have apparently decided against it. McLaughlin said that he will focus instead on running for an at-large Council seat in the new form of local government.

“I decided that I really wanted to work on local issues on behalf of residents, so I’m going to focus on the council instead,” said McLaughlin.

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