Six Candidates Jump Into Race For Miceli's Vacant Seat

TEWKSBURY, MA -- The Massachusetts Secretary of State said Thursday that six candidates have pulled nomination papers for the vacant seat of Rep. James Miceli (D-Wilmington) since he died on Saturday. They include five Democrats and one Republican. A seventh candidate, independent Noah Doucot, had taken out papers before Miceli died.

None of the candidates have returned the papers with the required signatures. Candidates have until 5 pm on Tuesday to return the papers with 150 signatures for certification to appear on the ballot.

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 some signatures for certification. If she is able to collect 150 signatures by 5 pm on Tuesday, Buckley would face Pina Prinzivalli in a Republican primay. Prinzivalli announced her run in December and is already listed on the ballot.

Patch has reached out to all of the candidates that have pulled nomination papers and will post updates as we hear back.

Buckley, of Tewksbury, is the finance director for the Congressional campaign of Rick Green, a Pepperell resident who is running as a Republican in the crowded race to replace Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell). Tsongas is not seeking reelection.Buckley has been active in Republican politics since graduating from Salem State University with a degree in political science in 2016.

Prinzivalli suspended her campaign following Miceli's death, which came after he collapsed during opening ceremonies for Wilmington Little League on Saturday.

"Out of respect to Mr. Miceli, his family and the towns of Tewksbury and Wilmington, our campaign continues to be remain suspended, regardless of what others are doing," she said Tuesday. "We'll get back on the campaign trail to share our 'taxpayers first' message when we feel the time is appropriate."

Miceli's death does present some questions of etiquette for potential candidates. Jump the gun and pull papers before Miceli's funeral on Friday and you risk coming off as crass, as Ferdinand did when Patch first reported his decision to run on Wednesday. Wait until after the funeral and you miss a chance to collect signatures over the weekend, the last weekend before Tuesday's 5 pm deadline to return nomination papers.

Earlier this week, Prinzivalli said she had heard that "three or four" people were considering runs in the days after Miceli died. On Thursday, her campaign said a statement she gave Patch earlier in the week still stood.

"I'm a little shocked they wouldn't wait until after the funeral to reach out to voters for signatures," she said.

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Patch file photo of Mark Kratman.

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