Walpole Man Becomes First Republican in State Senate Race

WALPOLE, MA — A former member of the Walpole Board of Selectmen has entered the race to fill the state Senate seat vacated by Jim Timilty.

Republican Michael Berry recently announced his intention to run for the Bristol & Norfolk senate seat. He's the first candidate to run for the GOP nomination.

Berry is currently a legislative director at the state's Department of Transportation, according to his LinkedIn account. His political career includes time as an aide to the mayor of Marlborough, state Rep. Jay Barrows of Mansfield, and former state Rep. Ginny Coppola of Foxborough.

Berry told the Sun Chronicle that his experience gives him the ability to hit the ground running. His campaign follows announcements from Barrows, GOP activist Angela Davis of Foxborough, and state Rep. Steven Howitt of Seekonk that they would not run. Berry said he waited to announce because he did not want to run against Berry and Davis, who he considers friends.

On the Democratic side, former Bernie Sanders Presidential Campaign State Director Paul Feeney of Foxborough, state Rep. Lou Kafka aid Ted Philips of Sharon, and former WBZ reporter Joe Shortsleeve of Medfield are running.

The special primary election is scheduled for Sept. 19 and the general is set for Oct. 17.

Image via Michael Berry's Twitter page