Who Are Your Neighbors Voting For In State Rep Race?

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Patch has received dozens of letters backing candidates in the Democratic Primary for the 19th Middlesex seat in the state House of Representatives. Five Democrats will compete in that primary on Sept. 4, which is open to voters in Tewksbury and Wilmington. Below are a sample of the letters we have received endorsing and supporting some of the candidates in the race.

Former Wilmington Selectman Judy O'Conner

I am writing to endorse the candidacy of Judy O’Connell for State Representative. I have had the privilege of knowing Judy since my days of coaching high school softball, where Judy embodied the qualities of a leader and a team player, excelling at most everything she did both on and off the field. A Boston Globe All Scholastic and a 1991 Honors graduate from Wilmington High School, Judy brought those same abilities and attributes to Merrimack College where she was an Academic and Athletic NCAA All-American helping her team capture the NCAA National Championship in women’s softball. She has been inducted in the Wilmington High School and Northeast-10 Athletic Halls of Fame and was recently notified of her upcoming induction to the Merrimack College Hall of Fame. Judy’s success was not limited to the playing field. She graduating Cum Laude from Merrimack College in 1995 receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in both Psychology and Sociology.

Judy has a wide range of experience in both the public and private sector. Her experience as a teacher and a small business owner offer her a unique and valuable perspective on many of the issues that face the residents of Tewksbury and Wilmington.

Born and raised in Wilmington, Judy epitomizes the values that are important to the residents of our district. Her commitment to public service is exemplified by her work as a member of the Wilmington School Committee where she served as Vice-Chair and as a two term member of the Board of Selectmen where her colleagues twice elected her Chairman. As Chairman of the Yentile Farm Recreational project, her leadership skills were clearly evident as this widely acclaimed recreational center was constructed on time and under budget.

Judy has the experience, intellect and values that we need in our next State Representative. She knows how to engage residents in the governmental process and can work collaboratively with town officials. She is a good listener and she will work tirelessly to resolve issues important to our residents. Judy has a strong command of the issues facing our Towns. She is a dedicated, hard-working individual who cares deeply for both communities. Hers will be a strong voice on Beacon Hill always advocating in the best interest of the communities that she would be privileged to serve.

I hope you will join me in supporting the candidacy of Judy O’Connell for election to State Representative of the 19th Middlesex District.

Wilmington Selectman Kevin A. Caira

To all of our Wilmington and Tewksbury neighbors, We have an awesome responsibility to elect a New State Representative, starting with the primaries on September 4th,2018.

This is an opportunity to elect someone who will and should be an independent thinker, who cares for all the people she represents.

Judy O’Connell has a proven record of service and skills, as a teacher and a elected member of the School Committee in Wilmington, she has first hand knowledge of the needs of students, teachers, curriculum and administrators, budgets and procedures. This will be very helpful knowledge as our next State Representative.

Judy also was an elected selectwoman for Wilmington, also served as its chairperson, Where she has shown her knowledge, patience, cooperation in listening to all with concerns, caring until a good judgment was reached for all the people and the town. These skills will be carried on once she is our next State Representative.

Judy showed her leadership skills on the Yentile Farm Recreation Park, as its chair woman, she led the committee that ultimately built a great park for all and it was under budget.

I am confidently endorsing Judy O’Connell as our next State Representative, I’m asking you to join me and my family for your support for Judy…

Please vote on September 4th. Or take out an absentee ballot.

Thank you

Wilmington Selectman Ed Loud and Family

Dear Editor,

As a voter I believe it is vital that we vote for someone who reflects our values as a community, so I’ll be voting for Judy O’Connell for State Representative of the 19th Middlesex District. Judy is an effective advocate for high quality education , smart economic development, top notch public safety services, maintaining a vibrant senior citizen population and supporting Veterans services, to mention a few.

As a resident, and in my role as a Finance Committee member, I have always appreciated her enthusiastic support for these kinds of services while maintaining fiscal discipline. In her position as a Selectman, School Committee member and active member of several town committees and community organizations, including the Yentile Farm Development Committee. I watched first hand as Judy developed a vision from start to finish for the Yentile Farm Recreation Facility. I watched her passion in meetings for Yentile as she engaged the public and truly listened to what residents wanted to see in this facility. To bring a $4.8 Million project to fruition under budget and on time is truly a great example of Judy’s dedication, commitment to her community, and outstanding leadership skills.

I especially appreciate Judy’s thoughtful approach to problem solving. She seeks out new ideas and different perspectives, weighs the alternatives, considers possible outcomes and develops reasonable positions. She is an approachable, thoughtful and compassionate person who listens to, engages with and advocates for residents of all ages, backgrounds and interests. She is genuinely committed to governing well for everybody.
Judy understands how government works--and how it doesn’t work. As a State Representative, she can hit the ground running on day one of her term. and she is the best candidate to represent the towns of Tewksbury and Wilmington at the state house. Please join me in voting for Judy O’Connell for State Representative on September 4th.

Sincerely,
Marianne Gallezzo
Wilmington Finance Committee Member

Dear Editor and Residents of the 19th Middlesex District,

Please accept this letter as my personal endorsement of Judy O’Connell for State Representative. Wilmington is my hometown, and Judy and I are lifelong friends. We attended Wilmington High School together and played softball throughout that time. It’s been stated a number of times throughout this campaign that Judy is a tremendous athlete and team player, and I can personally attest to this. My love of the game outweighed my talent, yet Judy was always patient, encouraging and willing to help me and others that did not possess her natural athletic ability. These are the qualities that embody a true leader. Judy was a leader then, and she continues to be one now.

As a former Aide to Representative Jim Miceli, I know first-hand what the job of State Representative for the 19th Middlesex District entails. Listening to and assisting the people of Tewksbury and Wilmington with personal and community issues, advocating for funding for better state and municipal services, and helping to shape public policy on behalf of the district are just a few of these responsibilities. Jim Miceli was a champion for the 19th Middlesex District. He never gave up on the people in the district even when the outcome of a constituent case looked dire. He would not accept no for an answer, and I’m sure that many readers today have been helped by or know someone that was helped by him. Rest in Peace, Jim.

Judy O’Connell shares Jim’s passion for the district and the people in it, and I do believe that she was born to do this job. Her achievements throughout her college career and into her adulthood never surprised me. Academically, athletically, professionally and in her pursuits of public service, Judy has always been a standout. She accepts nothing less than her best, and she’ll bring that “A” game to the State House.

In my current role as a director of a Massachusetts Regional Tourism Council, I work with members of the legislature from all over the state. From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, I’ve observed that one of the most important characteristics of a successful legislator is his/her ability to work cooperatively with state and municipal colleagues, community associations, private business and citizens. Those are the legislators that get results for their district. It is true in almost any industry that people do business with people they like. For those of you that haven’t met Judy yet, I’m certain that when you do, you’ll like her. If the 19th Middlesex District has the good judgement to elect Judy O’Connell as the next State Representative, expect great things.

I am proud to call Judy O’Connell my friend, and I will be proud to cast my vote for her on September 4th.

Sincerely,

Ann Marie Casey

Former Aide To Rep. James Miceli (D-Wilmington)

Tewksbury Selectman Mark Kratman

Dear Editor,

As someone involved in local politics for twelve years, and the former news editor for the Tewksbury and Wilmington Town Crier newspapers, I've gained perspective on what it takes to be an effective leader. While we are fortunate to have a number of qualified and enthusiastic candidates in Wilmington and Tewksbury, Mark Kratman is the clear choice for our next State Representative. Over my decade with the Town Crier I worked with and wrote about nearly everyone in this race. Most have been long time residents and active in our towns. Each is to be commended for their individual service to their communities and for stepping up to run for this seat – being a candidate is not easy and I have great respect for those that run an honorable campaign. However, Mr. Kratman has been among the most dedicated public servants I’ve been privileged to meet in either community. As editor, I covered his first campaign for Tewksbury Selectman in 2015 and later worked with him on numerous local initiatives.

99 percent of life is showing up, and Mark does just that. Not only attending all of his own Selectmen commitments, including serving on the Lowell Regional Transit Authority, chairing the Economic Development Committee, and the Beautification committee, but also regularly attending the Planning Board, Council on Aging, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, and Finance Committee meetings. He knows what is going on across the town and listens to the concerns of residents - and he has done it from day one - not for election optics. He also belongs to and regularly attends meetings for numerous local organizations. Due to his career with MassDOT and his work as a legislative liaison, he offers our towns the benefit of his robust network of lawmakers which will allow him to hit the ground running. A strong advocate for working families, Mark knows how the middle class is squeezed between raising families, paying mortgages, and caring for aging parents. He knows what it means to work hard. Having worked decades in the private sector as well, he knows the challenges of running a business - and the importance of small businesses within our communities - which is why he is so active in our business organizations as well.

Mr. Kratman is an independent thinker with a proven record of service and has articulated a positive, inclusive vision for the future of our communities. I encourage voters to join with me in electing Mark Kratman in the September 1 primary election and choose a strong, experienced voice for Wilmington and Tewksbury on Beacon Hill.

Sincerely,

Jayne Wellman Miller

Tewksbury Town Moderator

Wilmington Selectman Michael McCoy

Dear editor,

I’ve known Mike McCoy for most of his adult and political life. Mike has always demonstrated to me, being a senior citizen, his kindness and sincerity when helping all the residents of this town. When residents are in need of support, many elected officials give you lip service. Not Mike McCoy. He tells it like it is. He doesn’t sugarcoat. If he can help you, he gives his all, just like he is doing to help us residents who are fighting the proposed detox center at 362 Middlesex Avenue. We all know we need it and support it, but this is the wrong location. Mike McCoy championed the special town meeting to make a change that is fair to all residents. I was also out there getting signatures in order for this town meeting to happen. In all, we, the Concerned Citizens of Wilmington, received just under 1,600 signatures. Mike McCoy, on his own, got 845 signatures. That’s amazing. This alone shows his dedication and love to Wilmington.

On a personal note, Mike was supposed to have his hip replaced in October of 2017, but he delayed his surgery in order to help us. Once the special town meeting was over, as Michael was walking (limping) to his car, I noticed his wife helping him walk. I didn’t want to bother him. Just three days after the special town meeting on December 16, 2017, Mike had his left hip replaced and I went to visit with him at the Winchester Hospital. When I left his room, I realized something; while I’ll be home celebrating the Christmas holidays and the New Year with my family, Mike will be recovering from surgery. He sacrificed his holidays and dealt with pain for months just to help our neighborhood and make our town a better place to live in. Today, he’s unstoppable, stronger than ever and a force to be reckoned with.

There is no better choice for State Representative. My family and I are voting for Mike McCoy on September 4, 2018.

Thank you,

Jim Buckley

Wilmington, MA

Dear editor and residents of the 19th Middlesex District;

I am writing to express my sincere endorsement for Mike McCoy to represent this district in the Massachusetts State Legislature.

I’m casting my vote for Mike McCoy as our next state representative for Tewksbury and Wilmington. Mike McCoy is a doer—not a talker. Not only was he the first elected official to help my neighborhood in North Wilmington that was fighting against the opening of a detox center at 362 Middlesex Ave., but also he helped ALL neighborhoods in our town. I remember Mike was the only selectman to help those neighbors who were fighting against Global in South Wilmington. I remember Mike was the only selectman to speak out against Olin Chemical and New England Transrail when the Surface Transportation Board held its federal public hearing in Wilmington. Mike is everywhere! He has been serving our town as a public official for over 30 years. More impressively, Mike McCoy has more years experience in public service than all the other candidates combined which includes the present Tewksbury Board of Selectmen and the present Wilmington Board of Selectmen!

Another reason why I’m impressed with Mike McCoy is that he does it all himself; he doesn’t ask for financial donations, and he doesn’t ask for endorsements. All he’ll ever ask for is our support on Election Day. Mike McCoy IS the real McCoy.

Robert Turner

Wilmington, MA

Are you running to represent Tewksbury and Wilmington in the state legislature? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Never miss another local news story: Get free local news alerts right to your inbox.

Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

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