Doherty to Run for State Senate
Looks like we officially have a competitive primary (no, not Jackie, Chris Doherty) for the First Middlesex state Senate race (aka Pangy’s old seat). From his press release:
Lowell, MA — Middlesex County prosecutor Chris Doherty is filing paperwork with the Secretary of State and will begin the process of gathering signatures as a candidate for the First Middlesex Senate District.
Doherty, an Assistant District Attorney and General Counsel in Middlesex County, resigned from his position in the District Attorney’s office to dedicate his full attention and time to the campaign. “I fully accept that I’m entering this campaign as the underdog, but I believe that the voters of this district want and deserve a competition not a coronation,” said Doherty. “We are facing unprecedented challenges that won’t be solved by the old way of doing business. Now is the time for a new generation of leadership, and it is that perspective and energy that I’m going to bring to this campaign. I look forward to having the opportunity to introduce myself to voters and speaking with them about the critical challenges that face us in this District and as a Commonwealth – especially lost jobs and diminished economic opportunity and budget cuts that threaten public safety, education and seniors.
Looking forward to watching the race.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
He’s a real stand-up guy and a breath of fresh air. I think he’s the first of the next generation of leaders for our great community. Let’s support this kid all the way!
April 8th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Chris was one of the first people we met when moving to Lowell and he went out of his way to help us with anything we needed. I would be proud to have him represent me as a citizen and small business owner.
April 9th, 2010 at 6:22 am
I’d think long and hard before supporting Chris Doherty.
April 9th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I have respect for anyone running for office who is willing to quit a job and run full time. I think it should be mandatory to at least take a leave of absence from any public position while running for another. My conservative self is still with Eileen though.
April 9th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I’ve never heard of him but I already know one thing. He quit a job to run for one that he has very little chance of getting. I hope he has a Plan B.
April 9th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Meehan put him in this race Guaranteed.
April 9th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Mill Girl why do you think he doesnt have a chance of winning? I am sure a lot of people thought that of Scott Brown and look what happened there. People are looking for fresh faces and fresh ideas so I wouldnt count your candidate in yet.
April 9th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I was very happy to hear that Chris was running for office. He is one of the finest people I know, and it gives me hope for the future of Lowell.
April 9th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I don’t know much about Doherty, but if the site traffic is an indication, the campaign has its eye on new media.
April 10th, 2010 at 9:58 am
The Coronation has ended !!
but
What has the “former” Mayor done?
She has class, style but seems to be a divider of people.
We need someone who is going to unite the ENTIRE city and stop this us vs them BS — Is there another candidate out there OR ?
April 10th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Yeah Jack, we were commenting on how many “new” people were coming on here and commenting on this thread!
RE Donoghue, if she’s dividing the right people, she’s good by me. Obviously YOU don’t like her, which is good news in my book. She pissed off the GOBs - not for the sake of pissing anyone off, but by doing the right thing. If that means a few people don’t like her, so be it.
I still don’t get how people can defend people like Cox and Kazanjian. Are you people daft?? Two words and an acronym. DoR. Audit. Letter.
Unite the city?? Please. We all know who’s dividing the city, and why, and it ain’t Donoghue. If they want to play it straight, they are free to join the party.
Anyway, this was never going to be a coronation, and I’m always happy to see a competitive race. It makes the party stronger. Still doesn’t mean I ain’t gonna take sides!
April 12th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Henry,
I’d give the same advice to Eileen. I wouldn’t quit one job without having another one locked up. Not a luxury I can afford but it must be nice.
April 12th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I don’t think that somebody who beat beloved Lowell icon Nikki Tsongas by 3:1 among Lowellians can be accurately described as a divider of this city’s voters.
April 13th, 2010 at 9:01 am
You guys don’t get it do you, Eileen thinks that she can just “inherit” this. If it hadn’t been for Doherty stepping up she’d have been unopposed. She’s nothing but a Lowell insider who could care less about the other towns in the district, and I promise you she will totally ignore them. Doherty on the other hand is a public servant and always has been and we need more of them up on Beacon Hill. I suggest that everyone take a good look at his record before writing him off. This guy has successfully led several campaigns so he knows what they are all about
April 13th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
“She’s nothing but a Lowell insider.”
Wow.
You really don’t follow Lowell politics, do you?
April 13th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
MADem4Ever,
Have you listened/watched/paid attention to Lowell Politics? Eileen is constantly criticized for being a “blow-in”. She has stood up to many of the Lowell GOB’s because she believed it was in the cities best interest. Now, shes the Lowell insider? Apparently, in your eyes, shes on which ever side of the fence you’d like to place her!
“Inherit” her seat?!? What has she ever inherited? She grew up one of eight children and worked her way to where she is today. She fought hard against the Lowell insider, Niki Tsongas. And she earned her 3:1 votes in Lowell.
I’m not saying anything negative about Chris Doherty. I think he is seeking the seat for the same reasons she is; because the district, in this economic time, needs someone with a backbone who will stand up and do what’s right for the whole district. Not just Lowell.
No one is writing Doherty off, but Eileen has run a number of successful campaigns herself.
April 13th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I am glad for Chris, I wish him nothing but a great campaign. It’s time for some change, I don’t think Eileen can offer that anymore. Not that she isn’t a good politician but she had her time. Good Luck Chris!
April 13th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
LOL this is shaping up to be a very interesting campaign, if this is the first rally of supporters for both sides.
April 14th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Best4Lwl,
Your mention of Lowell politics is enough to convince me that Eileen isn’t the one that we need. All she cares about is LOWELL. The district is more than just Lowell. I’m from Groton but I have never seen Eileen care about anything that goes on here. What is she going to do for Groton. Doherty has already been serving us by working to go after people from various towns, not just Lowell and not just Groton. What proof do you have to suggest Eileen will “stand up” for the whole district
April 15th, 2010 at 9:04 am
Lowell Outsider…
Eileen has never represented Groton before. How about giving her a chance to show you that she can be effective across the district? She’s managed to get support across the board from all sections of the Lowell which is not easy to do. I get that you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle, but I don’t think it’s fair to ding her for not focusing on towns that until now haven’t been in her jurisdiction.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Go Chris! You’ll make a terrific Senator!! I don’t know much about Donoughue but from what I hear she hasn’t done much ever since she left the Mayors office. Chris on the other hand has spent years serving the district and serving it well. He’ll do an awesome job!
April 16th, 2010 at 11:50 am
I think they will do a great job across the board with going out and getting to the districts. Chris is smart for jumping on that quickly…although we love Lowell, State Senate isn’t all about Lowell. Your right Lowell outsider she needs to move across the board to win.
April 21st, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Lowell Outsider,
I very much agree with Mill Girl. Eileen has never been in the position to represent the needs of Groton. But what I do know, is that she has been elected to represent Lowell. Given the number of votes in each election, both CC and congressional, Lowell voters thought very much the same way. Again, I’m not arguing that she is the candidate for everyone, but, if past performance is any indicator, she’s done quite well.
I understand that Doherty has served many of the towns/cities in the district, but he too has his flaws.
As for BornInWestford’s comment, Donoghue has done quite a lot in the city since leaving the Mayor’s office. I suggest you read her bio. Although she is no longer in a public office, as a former mayor and city attorney, she has continued to work with various organizations in the city. Limelight isn’t where all the action takes place!
Doherty has done a wonderful job in the DA’s office. I’m not arguing against that, but I don’t think that Senate is the place he should start a political career and not under these economic circumstances. Although he has earned political appointments, he has never (to my knowledge) held elected office. Whoever does get elected, needs to know how to work WITH towns, sometimes take the tough vote, to do what is best for the area they represent. I’m not at all saying he is incapable, but rather I prefer a candidate with more experience. Good luck to them both!