Above: Representative Carolyn Dykema (left) is running against Hopkinton’s Trish Vanaria (right) in this Tuesday’s election. (photos from Facebook)
In the election this Tuesday, there are a lot of positions up for grabs. But, I’ll leave political coverage of the Governor and Senate races to the regional media.
At a more local level, our representative in the state congress (a.k.a. “General Court”) is a contest between trice-elected Representative Carolyn Dykema (D) and first-time candidate Patricia Vanaria (R).
Southborough Wicked Local recently ran stories on both candidates and campaigning by PACs and political committees. I’m also sharing several press releases I’ve been sitting on.
(Stories and press releases are in reverse chronological order, followed by a list of published endorsements through local media.)
Hopkinton woman takes on incumbent in Eighth Middlesex House District – Southborough Wicked Local, October 29:
Trish Vanaria lived a private life in Hopkinton for more than 20 years. It wasn’t until recently that she decided to run for state representative in the Eighth Middlesex District against incumbent state. Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston.. . .
Vanaria came to know about the state tech tax, a sales tax on computer and software services. She felt strongly the tax was wrong, and contacted the State House. It was her first step into politics.
“I don’t want to see us put a tax on services,” said Vanaria.
The GOP hopeful saw the tax as something that was passed without being vetted. It was repealed in September 2013, not even two months after it was passed. (read more)
GOP points finger back at DeLeo after ‘baloney’ charge – Southborough Wicked Local, October 28:
The following story covers campaign mailings alluded to in recent comments on the blog. Representative Dykema is listed as one of the candidates that was targeted by the MFA mailings.
House Republicans are calling Democrats hypocritical after Speaker Robert DeLeo referred to mailings targeting incumbents as “baloney.”
The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, an advocacy group led by a Republican State Committee member, has blasted out mailings that cast House Democrats in an unfavorable light based on housing benefit and gas tax-related votes. Democrats say the mailings are misleading voters.
Some of the mailings focus on an unsuccessful Republican amendment to a veterans’ benefits bill. Amendment supporters said it would give veterans preference in housing matters over undocumented immigrants. House Democrats supported a ruling from DeLeo’s leadership team that the amendment was beyond the scope of the bill, prompting the Fiscal Alliance to portray that as a vote against veterans.
DeLeo (D-Winthrop) last week called the mailings “misinformation.”But Rep. Brad Jones, the House minority leader, said that if DeLeo believes those mailings are “below the belt,” he should also condemn current and past mailings sent out by the state Democratic Party. (read more)
Holliston state rep prioritizes infrastructure, education – Southborough Wicked Local, October 22:
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, has never represented the Eighth Middlesex District without an opponent at the polls. This year is no different as she will face Trish Vanaria of Hopkinton on Nov. 4.
Dykema is vying for a fourth term with what she said are four items at the top of her agenda: economic development, infrastructure, education and veterans. (read more)
Marlborough GOP funds canvassers statewide – Southborough Wicked Local, September 14:
The following story lists Vanaria as among the candidates supported by the Republican City Committee:
The Marlborough Republican City Committee deployed hundreds of canvassers across the state this year, knocking on thousands of doors to support 30 Republican candidates seeking state legislative offices. . .
The committee’s fundraising and spending tactics are totally legal. The OCPF, responding to a complaint filed against the Marlborough group by the state Democratic Party in 2012, ruled that local party committees are not restricted by in-state geographical boundaries when it comes to fundraising and spending. (read more)
Representative Dykema Reflects on the 13th Anniversary of September 11th – Press Release, September 10:
Thirteen years ago today, our nation was shocked by the attacks on the World Trade Center. We remember those who lost their lives that day and thank the firefighters, policemen, EMT’s and other emergency personnel who put their safety and lives on the line to protect the rest of our community. . .
Today we remember the countless men and women who continue to serve, many of whom are overseas now protecting our freedoms. One need only look to our neighboring community of Northborough to recognize the magnitude of the sacrifices made. We hold in our memory and our prayers Specialist Brian K. Arsenault, who made the ultimate sacrifice last week while serving in Afghanistan, and all those who have lost their lives in defense of our country. (read more)
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema endorses Warren Tolman for Attorney General – Press Release, September 5:
This Tuesday, I’ll be voting for Warren Tolman for Attorney General because he has both the vision and the experience to truly make a difference for my constituents and the citizens of the commonwealth. (read more)
Dykema, LeFort Endorsed as Environmental Champions – Press Release, August 18:
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) and candidate for state Representative Brian LeFort (D-Framingham) have been named “Environmental Champions” and have been endorsed for reelection and election, respectively, by the Mass. League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) and the Environmental League of Mass Action Fund (ELM). (read more)
Finally, below are public through local media. For these, I’ll just post the quick headlines with embedded links:
Here’s an idea: why not vote to flip the party of our state rep at least every four to six years?
The voters and the district are less likely be taken as for granted by the candidate of either party or by Beacon Hill.
Anyone who was running still has the opportunity to do good things for the district after the election in the interim, even if he or she looses, provided the motivation is public service not careerism.