Besides Paul Tsongas and Marty Meehan, who else belongs on Lowell’s political Mount Rushmore?
Teddy Panos
April 10, 2026
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I am very pleased and excited that Ted has begun the “Inside Lowell” blog. His knowledge of Lowell politics and issues is unparalleled. He loves the city deeply, and whether you agree with him or not, you can’t argue his passion for the city. He’s also a very strong advocate of local law enforcement. Upon my ascension to the position of Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department, we immediately began a partnership where each and every week, myself or another Command Staff officer, would appear at the WCAP radio station studio, or call in by phone, and engage the citizens of Lowell in frank conversations about issues affecting the city’s neighborhoods. This collaboration enhanced the community policing efforts of the Lowell Police Department and created the opportunity for the citizens of Lowell to speak directly with their police chief. I will always be grateful for Ted’s work on behalf of the Lowell Police Department.
100 Merrimack St, Suite 410, Lowell MA 01852
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In Lowell, according to official enrollment data from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a ratio exceeding 4-to-1. “Out of 75,064 total registered voters, the partisan breakdown isolates 19,516 Democrats (26%) against a minimal core of 4,655 Republicans (6.2%). However, a VERY commanding 66.6% majority (49,984 voters) is registered as Unenrolled or Independent”. This also represents Massachusetts’ statewide distribution, where “registered Democrats sit between 24.5% and 27%, Republicans hold roughly 8%, and Unenrolled voters form a massive 64% to 66%”. Because a substantial portion of the electorate is Unenrolled, voters are less bound by official party labels and ideology. Turnout and candidate preference are often influenced and persuaded by the local issues and the economy. You all know, those “kitchen table issues” plus direct “door to door” contact and “constituent services”. So in working-class, post-industrial gateway cities like Lowell, "political pundits" usually find that voters prioritize immediate economic concerns, like localized jobs, housing costs, infrastructure, and inflation over rigid and uncompromising national party and ideology platforms. Always remember, this unique electorate dynamic frequently creates a “structural paradox” in Massachusetts state representative races. Why, because in the low-turnout September state primaries, a highly progressive or ideological candidate can successfully secure the nomination because they motivate a small, energetic base of voters and activists. However, when that nominee advances to the November general election, they suddenly face the more practical and realistic working-class Lowell voters. So, if they fail to strategically pivot away from the rigid and unrealistic national ideological platforms and fail to focus squarely on those “kitchen table” issues, they become highly vulnerable to a more moderate, community-focused candidate who can effectively appeal to the MASSIVE independent majority!
- Jeanne Balkas