Dustup in the 17th Middlesex

For John, BLUF:  Running against David Nangle is, historically, a losing proposition.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Three more pull papers

Here is the sub-headline:

17TH MIDDLESEX SEAT

From The [Lowell] Sun, by Reporter Elizabeth Dobbins, 19 March 2020.

Here is the lede plus six:

Three more people have pulled papers to run for the 17 th Middlesex District, adding to a quickly crowding race for a seat held by longtime state Rep. David Nangle.

Republican Martin Burke, who challenged Nangle in 2012, pulled papers as well as independents Donald Persons and David Richmond.

Two Democrats — Lisa Arnold and Zachary Stinchfield — previously joined the race.  Incumbent state Rep. Dave Nangle has also announced his intention to run for re- election while facing a 28count federal indictment.

Nangle has not pulled papers.  Candidates can, though rarely, bypass this step through obtaining copies of these documents from someone who has pulled papers, according to a spokesperson from Secretary of State William Galvin’s Office.

Burke, 46, runs a real estate appraiser business from an office in downtown Lowell.  He said Nangle has “ failed the public’s trust,” prompting him to run for a second time.

Burke challenged Nangle in 2012 and received 23.2% of the vote.

If elected, Burke said he would like to push for an audit of the MBTA, create more revenue streams for the transit service, oppose gas taxes, introduce term limits and advocate for more senior housing.

Having run twice against Representative Nangle myself, I know what an uphill battle it will be to oppose him this year.  However, contrary to what the City Life Show producer says, Candidates are not wasting their Summer.  Anything that creates public debate is good for the public.  Those who raise issues are doing a public service.  And, as elections across the nation show, sometimes the correlation of forces is such that the incumbent is thrown out.

The above is not to suggest that I think the Federal charges against our Neighborhood Guy, Dave Nangle, are necessarily true.  In fact, I see this as looking like it is part of the pattern of charges that have plagued the Trump Administration, due to abuses by a DOJ filled with partisan actors.  For example, why all the theater of an early morning arrest at his house, with the Press invited.  Why was he not invited down to the Federal Attorney's Office?  Do we have a pattern and practice of politicians indicted fleeing the country or barricading themselves in homes or offices?  Not that I have seen.

My issues with Representative Nangle turn to issues, such as who he votes for to be Speaker of the House.  Let us fight this out on the issues  And may the best Martin Burke win.

Regards  —  Cliff