Candidates for State Rep have two weeks to campaign

Democrats, Republicans make their endorcements

FRAMINGHAM, MA—On Sunday, Oct. 22, the Framingham Democratic Caucus chose Pamela Richardson, vice-chair of the Framingham School Committee, to back as a write-in candidate for the late Debby Blumer’s seat. Townwide PTO President Audrey Hall came in second in the voting on Sunday evening.

Other candidates at the caucus were: Wesley Ritchie, aide to State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, former selectmen Katie Murphy, and Tom Hanson, owner of Hanson’s Farm.

On Thursday, October 19th, the Republican Town Committee announced that its members chose former School Committee member and economics professor Nick Sanchez as the candidate that they would back.

Tom Hanson and Jim Rizoli, a Republican who failed to get enough signatures to be on the primary ballot, say that they are running separate campaigns.

Marla Davis, a teacher, is running as an Independent, as well as Tom Tierney, who ran against former State Rep Barbara Gray and Martin Meehan. Tierney has the distinction of beating the perennial incumbent Gray in a primary, only to have her become a Democrat and beat him in a write-in campaign in the final election.

Town Meeting member Dawn Harkness is also considering running.

Richardson is organizing a “Meet the Candidate” fundraising event Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1-4 p.m. at the Bella Costa restaurant.

As part of their breakfast series Temple Beth Sholom Brotherhood is hosting a candidates forum also on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. The endorsed write-in candidates from both major parties and one other unendorsed write-in candidate will be there. It will be a unique way to meet and learn about the candidates, and their views on the issues affecting Framingham and the Commonwealth.

The TBS Brotherhood Breakfast is open to anyone at a cost of $8/person which includes breakfast. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Fern at 508-877-2540 x 105 (You may leave a message in voice mail). The Brotherhood must have your RSVP by Thursday 830am (10/26), so they may properly prepare the room and breakfast food. Walk-ins will not be allowed.

Write-in candidates that would like to participate, should email Rich Shapiro at richs.amg@comcast.net or call 508 989 2888 as soon as possible to allow as much time for the candidates to express their views in the allotted time frame.

The final election is only two weeks away, on Nov. 7th so all the candidates have a limited amount of time to reach voters and prepare their stickers for their write-in campaigns. Any votes for Blumer will be void under state law.