MA-03: Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas announced on Wednesday that she would not seek re-election in what is usually a reliably blue seat, and there are plenty of Democrats who could run to succeed her. We rounded out some of the names recently, and several other Democrats have since stepped forward and expressed interest.
Ellen Murphy Meehan, a consultant for smaller urban hospitals, told the Boston Globe that she was considering. Murphy Meehan used to be married to Marty Meehan, who represented the Lowell and Lawrence areas from 1993 until he resigned to become chancellor of UMass Lowell. Meehan, who now leads the entire University of Massachusetts system, spoke warmly of Murphy Meehan and told the Globe that he hopes she runs.
Several other Democrats are eyeing this seat. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who was one of the few state elected officials to back Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential primary, told the Lowell Sun that he is interested. Back in the 2007 special election to succeed Meehan, Eldridge took third place with 14 percent of the vote, losing to Tsongas. State Rep. Jennifer Benson also said she was considering.
Lowell City Councilor Rodney Elliott, who is running for re-election this year, also told the paper that he wouldn't rule out a bid because, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini, who is also running for re-election, also didn't say no when asked.
Prominent Lowell attorney Michael Gallagher has expressed interest before, but said he would defer to state Sen. Eileen Donoghue. Donoghue, who lost the 2007 primary to Tsongas 36-31, has left the door open to a bid, but she sounded reluctant to leave the Senate. The Sun also mentioned Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale as a possible candidate. But while Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera was mentioned as a possible candidate by local Democrats, he quickly said he wouldn't run.
Clinton carried this seat 58-35, and Team Blue is favored to keep it. However, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey both narrowly lost the 3rd during their 2012 and 2013 campaigns, and GOP Gov. Charlie Baker took it 52-42 in 2014, so it may not be completely out of reach for the GOP. Both state Rep. Jim Lyons and businessman Sal Lupoli, who sits on Baker's Economic Development Planning Council, have been mentioned as a possible contender, but neither has said anything publicly yet. However, Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke quickly took his own name out of contention.