John Drinkwater (center) pictured with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and Third District Congresswoman Lori Trahan.

John Drinkwater, who confirmed to us in early March he was considering a run for State Representative, is poised to dive back into politics.

InsideLowell has learned the former Lowell City Councilor will seek the 17th Middlesex State Representative seat officially vacated Wednesday when Vanna Howard was sworn into the State Senate.

While the Belvidere neighborhood resident hasn’t responded to our requests for comment, sources familiar with the discussions tell us conversations with his inner circle and associates have already taken place and that an official announcement is expected in the coming week.

Drinkwater served two terms on the Lowell City Council, from 2020-2023. He also sought the 1st Middlesex State Senate seat now held by Howard in 2018, coming a close second in a hotly contested Democratic primary battle to the late Senator Ed Kennedy.

His entry into the race will bring the field to three candidates, with Lowell Firefighter Anthony Leite and political newcomer Harini Aiyer already declaring their candidacies and actively gathering the signatures required to get their names on the ballot.

All three candidates are seeking the Democratic party nomination. To date, no Republican candidate names have been circulated. The State Primary is set for Tuesday, September 1.