Chauvette declines to endorse Andrews in Second Franklin race

Saying that he supports "voter choice," Lee Chauvette (D-Athol) announced this morning that he is declining to endorse nominee Denise Andrews (D-Orange) in the race for state house in the Second Franklin House District.

In declining to offer his support, Chauvette acknowledged that he is breaking a "unity call and agreement to move forward with the winner."

"Party unity is a great thing but my message became that of trying to fight for the voters and to be a clear and unattached voice and support electing the person not the party," said Chauvette in a written statement. "This is a value that I hold very high.  I have decided to step away from the normal and expected process and support voter choice in the 2nd Franklin District for the November 2 election."

Saying that his decision "is not based on 'sour grapes' for losing the election," Chauvette, who finished last among the four candidates vying for the nomination, said he would like his supporters to consider and evaluate all three candidates, including Steven Adam (R-Orange) and Genevieve Fraser (U-Orange).

"I hold nothing but respect for Denise, Genevieve and Steve and have zero personal issues with any of them," Chauvette said, "but this is an open seat election and I believe that best form of Democracy from this point forward is to allow you the voters the right to decide on who you feel most comfortable in supporting."

Thursday Roundup: Foley wins Sheriff race

Thanks to this year's late primary (September 14 is the latest possible "second Tuesday") and the early general election (November 2 is the earliest possible "Tuesday after the first Monday"), candidates are left with a seven-week sprint to the finish in their effort to win election.

For most, that race began within hours after the polls closed, but for Tom Foley (D-Worcester), the start of the general election campaign had to wait until Wednesday. From the Telegram:

Mr. Foley, a former superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, will face Republican Lewis G. Evangelidis, a state representative from Holden who had no opposition in the primary, and independent candidate Keith E. Nicholas of Warren. Mr. Warren is a UMass Memorial Medical Center policeman and part-time Warren police officer.

Mr. Foley, a Governor’s Councilor, received a call from his primary opponent, Scot J. Bove of Holden, conceding the election about 8:45 a.m. yesterday. Mr. Bove is an assistant deputy superintendent at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston.

Mr. Foley took 52 percent of the vote, winning the primary by 1,660 votes, according to unofficial results. About 40 percent of the victory margin of Mr. Foley, who still lives in his native city of Worcester, came from Worcester, which he won by 676 votes.

As first reported by CMassPolitics.com, Bove decided around 1:00 am Wednesday to wait until results of several cities had been reported before conceding. At the time, Bove trailed by just over 1,000 votes with Milford, Gardner, Southbridge among the precincts not yet reported.

New England Cable News also reported on Foley's victory.

Elsewhere, while candidates gear up for the sprint, reporters and editors were catching up on rest and recharging the batteries...

13th Worcester House District
An advisor to gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker (R-Swampscott) told the State House News Service that the loss of Margot Barnet (D-Worcester) in the state house primary showed the weakness of the Lt. Governor Tim Murray (D-Worcester) "political machine." The advisor suggester that Barnet was Murray's "preferred candidate;" Murray's campaign noted that Murray did not endorse anyone in the race.

Second Congressional District
Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) is feeling some heat from the left, as the Progressive Democrats for America and "Jobs for Justice" organizations protested the lack of job growth at the Springfield Federal Building. Organizers said it was the ninth time they had requested a meeting with Neal, to no effect.

Second Franklin District
The Telegram notes that the next state representative will definitively be from Orange, as Republican nominee Steven Adam, Democratic nominee Denise Andrews, and unenrolled candidate Genevieve Fraser all hail from Franklin County's Easternmost burg.

Campaign odds and ends: Lights, camera, action!

While I try to keep up with the campaigns, stuff falls through the cracks or gets lost in the Internet. So I took a look around to see what I've been missing over the last week or so. Apparently I've been missing lots of local TV and radio appearances. So here is a roundup of stuff that hasn't been making the roundups...

Second Congressional District

Tom Wesley (R-Hopedale) spoke out about President Obama choosing to film The View instead of making a speech to the Boy Scouts. While the legislature just outlawed texting while driving, apparently videotaping web commercials while driving is still legal. Look out for that truck, Tom!

Second Franklin House District
Greenfield Community Television has posted brief video statements from the five candidates:
Steven Adam (R-Orange)
Denise Andrews (D-Orange)
Lee Chauvette (D-Athol)
David Roulston (D-Greenfield)
Roxanne Wedegartner (D-Greenfield)

First Congressional District
Greenfield Community Television also has a video statement from Bill Gunn (R-Belchertown).

Fifth Congressional District
The Groton Channel has also been hosting some candidates. Jon Golnik (R-Carlisle) made an appearance last week.

Eighth Worcester House District
Rep. George Peterson (R-Grafton) called in to the Jeff Katz Show on WXKS-AM to talk about the sales tax holiday and the end of the legislative session.

Sixth Worcester House District
Peter Durant (R-Spencer) visited with Jane Woodworth of WESO-AM radio. In his current role as Spencer Selectman, Durant and the other members of the board are considering fines for utility companies who do not clean up old utility poles.

12th Worcester House District
Treasurer Tim Cahill recognized Rep. Harold Naughton (D-Clinton) for his leadership in retroactively extending the Welcome Home Bonus for Vietnam Veterans to include veterans who served from 1973-1975.

Challenger James Gettens (R-Sterling) criticized Naughton for voting to streamline the approval of wind energy projects by bypassing local planning boards.

Worcester County Sheriff
Finally, Scot Bove (D-Holden) announced that he has received the endorsements of the Worcester County Superior Officers (Local 275) and the Worcester County Corrections Officers (Local 550).