Lyons, Nguyen Agree On One Thing: They Are Polar Opposites

ANDOVER, MA -- How different are state Rep. Jim Lyons (R-Andover) and his challenger in the Nov. 6 election, Tram Nguyen? They are so different that Lyons doesn't see much point in debating, and refused to meet the Andover Democrat before election day.

"My opponent has made it clear we are polar opposites. I don't see any advantage of a debate or any reason to have a debate," Lyons reportedly said. He also accused Nguyen and her supporters of negative campaigning as another reason for not participating in a debate.

While Lyons has the incumbent's advantage, Nguyen -- making her first run at elected office -- has the bigger war chest. According to campaign finance reports filed ahead of the Sept. 4 primary, Nguyen had a balance of more than $64,000, compared to $39,000 for Lyons.

Nguyen (pronounced "win") is the only candidate running in Massachusetts on Nov. 6 to pick up an endorsement from 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Nguyen, 31, came to the U.S. when she was 5 and is the first Vietnamese-American to run for elected office in Massachusetts. She has been on a leave of absence from her job as an attorney for Greater Boston Legal Services since announcing her candidacy earlier this year.

Lyons won his seat, which represents parts of Andover, North Andover, Boxford and Tewksbury, in 2010. In recent months he has increased his statewide profile by leading the push to impeach Salem Superior Court Judge Timothy Feeley, who has had a string of decisions called into question for being soft on crime.

Never miss another local news story: Get free local news alerts right to your inbox.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).