Donnelly's Chief of Staff Announces State Senate Run

BEACON HILL, MA – A second candidate has entered the race for an upcoming special election to name late state Sen. Ken Donnelly's successor. Cindy Friedman, Donnelly's longtime chief of staff, announced her candidacy for the 4th Middlesex District seat, according to Wicked Local.

Donnelly, an Arlington Democrat who represented the 4th Middlesex District's Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Woburn, and parts of Lexington, died earlier this month following an eight-month battle with a brain tumor. He was 66.

A special election will be held July 25 to fill his vacant seat.

So far Friedman faces 23rd Middlesex District Rep. Sean Garballey, who announced his run last week.

Billerica Rep. Marc Lombardo was originally thought to be the likely challenger from the Republican side but said last week he would not run for the open seat, Wicked Local reported.

According to Secretary of State William Galvin, whose office oversees elections, nomination papers are due by May 23. Candidates must gather at least 300 certified signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Nomination papers will be available at the city and town halls of the communities in the district and at the state elections division, located in Room 1705 of the McCormack State Office Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston. The elections division may be reached at 1-800-462-VOTE.

Materials from the State House News Service were used in this report.

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