Politics & Government
Tewksbury Man Promises Write-In Campaign If O'Connell Wins
Tewksbury Board of Health member George Ferdinand says "there are many reasons why" he would make a long-shot bid for state rep.
TEWKSBURY, MA -- Tewksbury Board of Health member George Ferdinand said Tuesday he will mount a write-in campaign for state representative if former Wilmington Selectman Judy O'Connell wins next week's Democratic primary. Ferdinand said he is "feverishly" working on the campaign for David Robertson, one of O'Connell's four opponents in next Tuesday's primary.
"I am currently working feverishly for a Primary victory for Dave Robertson and will accept the outcome unless the winner is Ms O’Connell," Ferdinand said in an email. "There are many reasons why. So I am open to the possibility of a write in campaign."
O'Connell said it was Ferdinand's right to run a right-in campaign as a registered voter in the district.
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"I have not had the pleasure of ever meeting or personally speaking with George Ferdinand who I have recently offered to meet more than once to no avail," she said. "I have heard about Mr. Ferdinand’s potential plans of a write-in campaign if I am fortunate to advance to the general election as the Democratic candidate."
Ferdinand, who unsuccessfully ran for Tewksbury Selectman earlier this year, has already flirted with the idea of running for the 19th Middlesex seat that represents Tewksbury and Wilmington. Following the death of of Rep. James Miceli in April, Ferdinand withdrew nomination papers but dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Robertson, Miceli's legislative aide.
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Ferdinand said he singled out O'Connell for her opposition to the death penalty, her pro-choice stance and her support of a proposal by Gov. Charlie Baker that would require a majority vote by town meeting on housing proposals instead of the current two-third's majority vote.
"To name a few," he said. "Stay tuned."
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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).
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