Yesterday’s story about Lowell City Councilor Corey Belanger making phone calls to gauge support for a potential State Rep run set our InsideLowell phone lines ablaze with speculation that another candidate’s desire to seek that seat has been smoldering for a few months.

Multiple sources within Lowell’s political community tell InsideLowell that Anthony Leite, President of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 853, is strongly considering launching an Independent campaign for the 17th Middlesex State Representative seat held by Vanna Howard.

The Belvidere resident did not respond to multiple requests for comment last night and this morning, but those same sources tell us Leite’s fires to run have been stoked by “opposition to the Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation signed into law in August 0f 2024, Howard’s about-face on the ballot question that overwhelmingly supported Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s efforts to audit the State Legislature, and by a personal passion for the mental health and substance use issues he cites as harming families and the community.”

Howard’s State House seat has become a hot topic recently, with the anticipation that she will announce her candidacy to replace State Senator Ed Kennedy in the upcoming Special Election. Earlier this week, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin set February 3, 2026 as the Primary date, with the Special Election slated for March 3.

To date, the only candidate to formally declare their candidacy is 16th Middlesex State Rep. Rodney Elliott. Howard was originally expected to toss her hat in the ring this week, but InsideLowell is now hearing the decision will likely be put off until next week.

The sources familiar with Leite’s thinking indicate his interest in the 17th Middlesex seat “pre-dates Senator Kennedy’s passing” and Howard’s decision on whether to enter the Senate race or seek re-election to the House are not a factor in the union President’s thinking.

“If he runs, it will be as an Independent and against any candidate, be it the incumbent or other potential Democratic and Republican challengers,” one of the people we spoke with told us.

Leite joined the Lowell Fire Department in 2016 and was elected IAFF Local 853 President in January of 2024.

The 47-year old United States Marine Corps veteran is a teacher of Fire and Hazard Education, visiting local schools and organizations to promote fire safety as part of his duties.

Born in Boston, Leite attended Lowell public schools for a spell and also UMass Lowell.