O'Connell Picks Up More Key Endorsements In State Rep Race

WILMINGTON, MA -- Judy O'Connell, one of eight candidates hoping to be the next state representative for Wilmington and Tewksbury, received two, high-profile endorsements over the weekend. Wilmington Firefighters IAFF L1370, the union that represents fire fighters in Wilmington, endorsed O'Connell, as did Greg Bendel, a Wilmington selectman. O'Connell previously sat on the board with Bendel.

"Judy has a proven and impressive record of public service. She is a terrific listener and a tireless worker, who is committed to helping the residents in our district," Bendel said in a letter to Patch and other media outlets. Former Wilmington Selectmen Michael Newhouse and Louis Cimaglia IV have also endorse O'Connell over sitting Selectman Michael McCoy, who is also running for the Democratic nomination in the race.

Primaries in the race are on September 4, with the Democratic and Republican winners meeting 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 running:

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).