Another Candidate Jumps Into Race For Miceli's State Rep Seat

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Tewksbury resident and Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Committee Member Patricia M.W. Meuse took out nomination papers as an independent in the suddenly-crowded race to replace Rep. James Micelli (D-Wilmington). Meuse took out the nomination papers, which are due by 5 pm Tuesday, from the Secretary of State's office. Funeral services were held for Miceli Friday morning following his death on Saturday.

Meuse is an attorney and also served on the Tewksbury School Committee for six years. She has six children and has lived in Tewksbury since 1978. Three separate sources have told Patch that Wilmington Town Moderator Robert Peterson Jr., who is running for reelection in Wilmington's Town Election on Saturday, is also planning to run. Peterson has yet to take out nomination papers and could not be reached for comment Friday.

Meuse is the seventh candidate to withdraw nomination papers since Miceli died following a cardiac arrest during the opening ceremonies of Wilmington Little League last week. On Thursday, Patch reported that five Democrats and a Republican had taken the first step to enter the race. Democrats jumping into the race since Monday include Tewksbury Selectman Mark Kratman (D), Miceli's legislative aide David Robertson, Erika Johnson, a former Tewksbury Town Crier reporter who now works in marketing, and Tewksbury Board of Health member George Ferdinand, who said he dropped out of the race a day after taking out the papers with the Wilmington town clerk's office.

Republican Erin Buckley took out nomination papers from the Secretary of State's office and has already returned signatures for certification. Independent Noah Doucot had taken out papers before Miceli died.

As of Friday afternoon, only Buckley had returned completed nomination papers. Republican Pina Prinzivalli, of Tewksbury, announced her run in December and the only candidate listed on the ballot thus far. That means at the very least, the two women will square off ion a Republican primary in September.

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Patch file photo.

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