What began as an April Fools joke has turned into a very real conversation.
Lowell City Councilor Corey Robinson, who Wednesday posted on his Facebook page that he was launching a campaign for the 16th Middlesex State Representative seat currently held by Rodney Elliott, is telling people the feedback he received from the intended prank has convinced him to seek the State House slot representing parts of Lowell and Chelmsford.
Contacted this morning, Robinson responded by echoing much of his April 1st social media post as the reason he’s entering the race.
“After serious consideration and discussions with our community as well as my loved ones, I would like to formally announce my intention to run for the upcoming vacancy of State Representative of our 16th Middlesex District,” Robinson texted. For the past four years I have seen firsthand the impacts and unintended consequences of decision making that disregards our communities concerns. My team and I feel it is necessary to bring strong leadership FROM our community, FOR our community to Beacon Hill. Our campaign will be about prioritizing our neighbors and the challenges they face on a daily basis. Our policy ideas will originate in our neighborhoods with the focus on problem solving what matters to our most valuable assets, our residents. #PeopleOverParty”
Meanwhile, the candidate Robinson introduced and enthusiastically supported in that race tells InsideLowell she is staying in the race despite the city councilor’s decision.
Mona Tyree launched her campaign and addressed the crowd at the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast hosted by Representative Elliott on March 14. It was Robinson who made the announcement that morning and invited her to the podium.
“I am not dropping out and still collecting signatures,” Tyree texted InsideLowell this morning.
When asked if that was still the case after Robinson’s entry, she responded “Yes, this is what democracy looks like. I wish them both well.
The third publicly declared candidate in the race is North Chelmsford’s Lorena Betts, who has been campaigning for the seat since last September, before Elliott’s announcement he would not be seeking re-election.
4 responses to “No More Fooling: Robinson Launches State Rep. Run”
VERY happy about this announcement! Councilor Corey Robinson has earned it and most certainly deserves it! Councilor Corey Robinson has worked VERY hard and tirelessly 24/7, plus holidays going on 5 years now as the Centralville district City Councilor, and doing so inspite of all the “unfortunate issues” that could have distracted and derailed him but didn’t! Councilor Corey Robinson is a very STRONG and very COURAGEOUS man and the additional district he will be representing this time at the state level as the State Representative very much needs and will greatly benefit from his steadfast constituency and advocacy! The people absolutely LOVE HIM!!!
BY the way, if anyone happens to catch today’s “City Life” show, it’s replayed on YouTube, y’all will see Lowell Sun reporter Ms Melanie Gilbert show her “true colors”! I just have one thing to say to you Melanie, “bye Felicia”!
Also in regards to ANYONE’S “personal issues”, I would like to highlight this historic “1969 Chappaquiddick incident”, that despite Senator Ted Kennedy’s “personal issues”, Senator Ted Kennedy became one of the longest-serving U.S. Senators (47 years) and a VERY highly effective “liberal lion”. Senator Ted Kennedy completely transformed himself and his career, NEVER allowing himself to be “distracted or derailed” and instead refocused to developing very important advocacy and legislation in health care, civil rights, and labor, and in doing so, cemented and established his GREAT legacy, despite his personal issues!
Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment.
The point iam trying to make is that Senator Ted Kennedy’s exceptional public service career is cited as a “textbook study in political resilience” and how ANY politician can survive an unfortunate “alleged” personal issue or scandal and positively turn it around thru sheer grit, courage, determination and dedication to their public service!
NO ONE knows what really happened that fateful night, and the TWO that do are both deceased!