Vanna Howard, who ran unopposed in the 17th Middlesex District in 2022, will have at least one challenger this Fall.
Joseph Onoroski, a Belvidere resident, filed organizational papers with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance Tuesday and intends to challenge the two-term incumbent in November.
Onoroski left blank the “Party Affiliation” line in the organizing statement because he is a member of the Massachusetts Pirate Party, an affiliate of the United States Pirate Party, which was founded in 2010.
“We are a fairly small party still, but we have a solid base,” Onoroski told InsideLowell. “The main reason for running against Vanna Howard is because out of the last 15 elections, 12 were uncontested. This is a failure of democracy. I am a blue-collar guy, and I am hoping that I can show the world that anyone can run.”
Onoroski’s LinkedIn profile lists him as the Owner of Property Management of Lowell. The company’s website lists moving, maintenance and cleaning as services provided.
The LinkedIn profile also lists him as Treasurer of the Mass Pirate Party, though the Party’s official website does not list that position.
Howard took over the seat in January of 2021, having bested long-time incumbent David Nangle in a three-way Democratic Primary in September of 2020.
She ran unopposed in 2022 and has yet to see a Democrat or Republican emerge to challenge her in this cycle.
