Two Prominent Democrats Considering Run For House Seat Held By Tsongas

ANDOVER, MA -- State Senator Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) and 2014 Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Steve Kerrigan of Lancaster are considering runs for the Congressional seat held by Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell). Tsongas previously announced she would step down when her term ends at the end of 2018. L'Italien issued a press release Wednesday announcing that she was forming an exploratory committee, while Kerrigan said he was considering a run on social media.

"Our country is facing some of the biggest challenges we’ve ever seen," L’Italien said in the release. "The working families of this district deserve someone in Washington who’s shown fearless, proven leadership. That’s why I’m exploring a run for Congress."

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Meanwhile, Kerrigan said he had been approached by friends and asked to consider a run for the seat.

In addition to his failed bid for Lieutenant Governor, Kerrigan ran for Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair in 2016. He is the president of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund Inc., a nonprofit. Kerrigan started his career as an aide to Sen. Edward Kennedy and later worked as Chief of Staff to Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly and, later, CEO of the Democratic National Convention.

L’Italien was elected to the state senate in 2015. She also served in the state house of representatives from 2003-11. Before running for office, she was a was a social work case manager at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. She has lived in Andover for the past seven years with her husband and four children.

The 3rd district's borders underwent massive changes during the 2010 redistricting process. It now covers parts of Middlesex, Worcester and Essex Counties, including Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill. Tsongas has held the seat since first being elected in 2007.

Photo from the office of State Senator Barbara L’Italien.