Democratic Socialists funding Candido Campaign!

It isn’t uncommon in City Council Campaigns to see some donations from out of city residents. Friends and family or co-workers who live outside Lowell will support their relative or friends.

However, I’ve never seen a new candidate raise approximately $4,227 in September from 71 donors, and all but 10 of those donors come from outside of Lowell. Looking at the OCPF (Office of Campaign and Political Finance) file for 8th District council district candidate Marcos Candido, OCPF – Registered Filers, that is the case.

The Boston Democratic Socialists, who on their own website state –“The purpose of DSA is to build a mass socialist movement in the United States with the ultimate aim of a revolutionary transformation of society from capitalism to socialism” – besides funding him have held numerous canvasing events for him, including one held this past Friday “October 10, 2025 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm and another one today 1:00 -4:00 beginning at Tyler Park.

Is Lowell ready to go to a Socialist Government? If they are active in a district City Council race, I would expect them to have, or try to have, a large presence in the upcoming Special Senate Election.

Show me the MONEY $$$$! Looking at the OCPF accounts for all involved in the Lowell City Council races shows the following balances in campaign accounts as of September 30, so the recent Mayor Rourke party Thursday Night and the Upcoming Erik Gitschier Fundraiser October 16 and Vesna Nuon’s on October 23 are not included.

8^th District – CANDIDO $1,649.50 – DESCOTEAUX $11,082.50

7^TH District – LIANG $181.94 – YEM $1,227.67

5^th District – BARBOZA $175.30 – SCOTT $15,119.35

3^RD District – FINN $2,829.48 – JURAN $5,803.52

4^th District – MCDONOUGH $2,546.06 – JENNESS $7,026.92

CITYWIDE CANDIDATES – DEJESUS $1,711.44 – MERCIER $17.552.86

NUON -$19,783.95 – GITSCHIER – $9,700.21

UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES – District 1 ROURKE $16,117

District 2 ROBINSON $16,149

District 6 CHAU $1,962

It is a different type of Council Race than in years past. There has been little advertising in the SUN (seeing their rates, one can see why) and claiming that 17,000 readers vote in local elections is a stretch. that may be combined in their total circulation, but certainly not in the city of Lowell. There are limited opportunities for LIVE listenable shows on WCAP to advertise on. InsideLowell has had a steady stream of advertising (Thanks Belinda and Belanger) and from what I’ve seen, limited social media ads.

To date, there have been no real fireworks among candidates. This election is a door to door, in the neighborhood fight with some mailings by citywide challengers and a School Committee race that would put Sleepy and Rip Van Winkle to sleep. The dynamics have made this campaign season a very quiet, non-eventful one.

UNDECLARED BUT MONEY TO RUN: No one has yet declared they are officially running for the vacant Senate Seat, but I expect the Senate President will be announcing a schedule for an election this upcoming week. IF, and until a declaration is made, it remains an IF they choose to run.

State Rep. Elliott has $82,835.04 in his campaign account, while State Rep. Howard has $75,489.84 in hers. Pepperell State Rep. Scarsdale has $51,972 in her account, but isn’t well known, especially in Lowell and I don’t believe Dracut /Tyngsboro Rep. Garry $2,972.88 would consider a run.

Former Lowell City Councilor John Drinkwater has an open account with $1,067.27 and let’s not forget former State Rep. Dave Nangle. I didn’t mention him last week, but he has paid his dues, works with people who have gambling issues, helping them kick/control their issue, and would make a great comeback candidate who still has connections in that Senate district.

All interested candidates should be glad that the district doesn’t include any town that is represented by State Rep. Tram Nguyen. Not only does she have $195,831.43 in her account, but she is intelligent, personable and has already obtained Chairmanships at 39 years old. She would be a candidate that all Democrats could support.

RANDOM THOUGHTS…..Interesting to see Councilor Gitschier at Mayor Rourke’s party Thursday (I saw a pic on FB, it was my anniversary and I didn’t attend). Maybe Gitschier will support Rourke for another term as Mayor and Rourke could endorse Gitschier for Senate over Elliott!

I noticed that Paul Belley and Ryan Rourke, who both ran and lost to Wayne Jenness, seem to be supporting Sean McDonough over Jenness for City Council.

Speaking of Captain Paul, he will be honored this year by the Salvation Army at the Christmas Castle Breakfast coming up November 6^th at Lenzi’s. Paul has been a great supporter of the Army and a huge part of the WCAP Radiothon for many years. He deserves the honor.

Best wishes and THANK YOU to Devin Cordeiro and the staff at THE BOAT in Dracut, who have made the hard decision to close and sell. Their last day is November 1^st and with Paul Belley have been very good to the RADIOTHON.

Speaking of which, the 2025 WCAP Salvation Army Radiothon will be held December 6^th from 6:00 am – 2:00 pm. We want to give a HUGE THANK YOU and SHOUT OUT to the Lowell, Dracut and Tyngsboro Firefighters, who have all committed to once again hold a boot drive (or in Tyngsboro’s case boot drives) again this year.

Thanks to Teddy Panos for inviting me to fill in and cohost the Daley Pulse this week on InsideLowell.

Ted will be zooming in Monday -Wednesday to give us updates on the Urban Economy Forum in Toronto that will feature a very large Lowell participation. I will also have some great In-Studio guests, including:

Monday -Leslie Bodor and JoMarie Buckley (aka the Killer B’s)

Tuesday – LHA Commissioners Bill Samaras, Rodney Elliott and LHA Director Tha Chhan

Wednesday – City of Lowell DPD member Jessica Wilson and Brianna Martinez to talk about some of the OSRP projects, as well as ARPA projects, which will revitalize some of the existing parks and green spaces.

Thursday – Lowell High Head of School Mike Fiato and newly elected LHS Class Officers and other students.

Friday -Ray Keefe and the 2026 Polar Plunge recipient Bobby Panagiotopoulos