Cole Says Message of Fiscal Responsibility, Cutting Wasteful Spending Key to Victory

State Representative-Elect Leah Cole's campaign released a statement today, saying her hard won victory Tuesday at the polls was achieved through knocking on doors across Peabody and making connections with voters. That's all part of her pledge to be a "voice of the people."

“Leah knocked on doors and brought her message of fiscal [responsibility], stopping wasteful spending and sending a voice of the people to the State House. I know [she] will be a fierce advocate for the city of Peabody,” said campaign manager Ryan Chamberland.

“Our message was about the hard working people of Peabody. They want common sense leadership at the State House," Cole said.

"I am a nurse not a politician, and I will wake up every day with the working class citizens always on my mind. Every vote I cast will be to help the great city of Peabody,” she said.

Cole, a 24-year-old Republican who moved to Peabody from Lynn several years ago, defeated two well known city politicians for the 12th Essex District seat on Tuesday in her first ever bid for office.

Her margin of victory was just 73 votes over Democrat School Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne, while city councilor Dave Gravel trailed in third, running as an unenrolled candidate. Cole grabbed 35 percent of the vote, compared to 34 percent for Dunne and 31 percent for Gravel.

Cole says she will be rolling out office hours in the next few weeks as well as her formal contact information for constituents.

In the meantime, she can be reached at leahcolecampaign@gmail.com, via her campaign website at www.coleforpeabody.com, or by phone at 774-573-3439.

Cole fills the seat left vacant by the death of Joyce Spiliotis last year.