Candidate Drops Out Of Crowded State Rep Race

WILMINGTON, MA -- There will be a little more elbow room in the Democratic primary for the state representative's seat representing Tewksbury and Wilmington. Catherine Gover of Wilmington did not return nomination papers to the Secretary of State by Tuesday's deadline, meaning the former Everett City Councilor will not be on the ballot for the September primary.

That still leaves five Democrats, two Republicans and an independent in the races. The major party candidates will face off in September primaries, with the winner of each joining independent Patricia Meuse of Tewksbury on the ballot in November's general election.

Prior to the April 21 death of Rep. James Miceli (D-Wilmington), the only candidate running was Tewksbury Republican Pina Prinzivalli. In addition to Meuse, who sits on the Shawsheen Tech School Committee, here are the candidates planning to run:

Republicans

• Pina Prinzivalli (R-Tewksbury)
• Tewksbury Finance Committee member Erin Buckley (R-Tewksbury)

Democrats

• Wilmington Democratic Town Committee Chair Erika Johnson (D-Wilmington)
• Tewksbury Selectman Mark Kratman (D-Tewksbury)
• Wilmington Selectman Michael McCoy (D-Wilmington)
• Former Wilmington Selectwoman & School Committee member Judy O'Connell (D-Wilmington)
• Jim Miceli's Chief of Staff Dave Robertson (D-Tewksbury)

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.

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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).