When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, they will face a lengthy ballot with 14 races and three ballot questions. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Early voting was offered throughout the state from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2, in an effort to accommodate as many voters as possible.
First on the ballot in both Halifax and Plympton is the race for Senator in Congress, with local Republican, Geoff Diehl from Whitman, opposing incumbent Democrat Elizabeth A. Warren from Cambridge. The two have been sparring in several televised debates. Shiva Ayyadurai, a former Republican, is running as an Independent. Ayyadurai has been outspoken regarding GMO foods, and says he will take a “science and engineering perspective on problem solving.” He holds several advanced degrees from MIT and is married to actress/comedienne Fran Dresher.
Choices for Representative in Congress are Bill Keating, Democrat from Bourne, candidate for re-election, and Peter D. Tedeschi, Republican, from Marshfield. Keating says he has been busy working on behalf of the region’s voters and has proven himself to be one of the most effective legislators serving in Congress today, ranking fourth out of 435 House members in getting amendments passed.”
Tedeschi, a lifelong South Shore resident, a Republican, wants to give back to the area that has been so supportive of his family for generations. “Public service must be for the benefit of the people, not for the person elected to represent them.” Tedeschi is a SVP of Putnam Investments, CEO of Tedeschi Food Shops, and proud member of the Executive Board of Directors for Friendship Home.
The Governor’s race sees Charlie Baker and Karyn Polito, Republican incumbents, challenged by Jay Gonzalez and Quentin Palfrey, Democrats. Baker and Polito have been working since their election in 2015 to grow the Massachusetts economy, for MBTA reforms, and to set education standards K-12, among other items. Gonzalez served as Secretary of Administration and Finance of Massachusetts under Gov. Deval Patrick, and claims Baker has not shown sufficient leadership, citing poor progress in the MBTA.
Maura Healey, Democrat from Boston, is a candidate for re-election as Massachusetts Attorney General. She is challenged by James R. McMahon, III, a Republican from Bourne. Healey has been an activist Attorney General according to her endorsement by The Standard-Times, going after the Trump administration as it has tried to dismantle government health, education, and environmental programs that have been the great hallmarks of American and Massachusetts society over the last half century.” McMahon is an attorney and a lifelong resident of Cape Cod. Married with five children, he lost his eldest son to opiate addiction.
William Francis Galvin, of Boston. seeks re-election to Secretary of State, an office he has held since 1995. He is the Chief Information Officer, spotlighting issues that affect the average citizen: fraud in the finance industry, credit card pressures on students, and HMO costs. As the Commonwealth’s chief elections officer he has worked to bring more people into voting, through his “Motor Voter Law” and early voting, so people can vote at their convenience the two weeks prior to election day.
His Republican opponent, Anthony M. Amore of Swampscott, promises through his website a fresh perspective to the office. He currently works in the non-profit sector as the Director of Security and Chief Investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. He is also serving as an officer with the US Immigration Service and as a Special Agent with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Security Division. He was appointed Assistant Federal Security Director with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where his mission included rebuilding security at Logan Airport after the attacks of 9/11.
Rainbow/Green Party candidate is Juan G. Sanchez, Jr. whose website states his goal is to “Ensure that underprivileged and underrepresented groups have a voice on Beacon Hill,” and to “Champion progressive electoral and campaign finance reform. “ He would also improve voter education by delivering information in multiple languages.
The office of Treasurer sees Brookline Democratic candidate for re-election Deborah Goldberg challenged by Lakeville Republican Keiko M. Orrall. Goldberg states hers is the first office focused on economic empowerment for everyone.
Orrall, is the first Asian-American woman to seek a constitutional office in Massachusetts. She has served four terms in the House of Representatives, building bi-partisan bridges, focusing on policy over politics. She is a middle child of five children, learning the art of compromise early on.
Jamie M. Guerin, the Green/Rainbow Party candidate from Montgomery, says on her website one of her goals is to establish a state bank to end Wall Street influence in local politics. Also, she would ensure that the nascent cannabis business benefits local communities rather than national conglomerates.
State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump of Easton, Democratic candidate for re-election, states on her website, “I have dedicated the majority of my professional life to public service, first as a State Representative, then serving in the administration of Governor Deval Patrick, and now as State Auditor. “I believe in government and its responsibility to advance societal and economic progress,” she says.
Bump has three challengers. Republican Helen Brady of Concord says, “I am stunned by the State Auditor’s inability to play an active and aggressive role in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. The Auditor’s refusal to stand up and fight for taxpayers was made all the more shameful when she accepted a massive increase to her taxpayer-funded salary.”
Daniel Fishman, Libertarian from Beverly, says, “When you select an auditor you need someone who can be impartial … who will actively search for malfeasance. We must elect an auditor who comes to the office without any debt to a political party …”
Edward J. Stamos, resident of Northampton, representing the Green/Rainbow Party says, “As auditor, I will be an independent watchdog, ensuring that the Democrats and Republicans are not playing political games with taxpayer money.”
Councillor Christopher A. Iannella, Jr., of Brockton, Democratic candidate for re-election, is running unopposed.
Senator in General Court Michael D. Brady of Brockton, a Democrat, is being challenged by Scott Hall of Brockton, a Republican. See accompanying story on that race.
Representative in General Court for the 12th Plymouth District, Democrat Kathleen LaNatra of Kingston is being challenged by Republican Joseph M. Truschelli of Plymouth. See accompanying story.
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, Republican candidate for re-election from Marshfield, is challenged by John E. Bradley, Jr., a republican from Plymouth. Cruz states on his website, “I am committed to the protection of our children, our seniors, and our communities.”
Challenger John E. Bradley Jr., takes aim at Cruz as the Democratic candidate for District Attorney of Plymouth County. According to an article by Maria Cramer of the Boston Globe, Bradley was a 21-year veteran prosecutor when his boss, Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz abruptly fired him. Bradley sued for wrongful dismissal and eventually received a $248,000 settlement.
Plymouth County Clerk of Courts Robert S. Creedon, Jr., Democratic candidate for re-election, is unopposed.
Plymouth County Register of Deeds John R. Buckley, Jr. of Brockton, Democratic candidate for re-election, is unopposed.
Sandra M. Wright, Republican, of Bridgewater, is running unopposed as a Republican candidate for re-election to the office of County Commissioner.