The around whispers around who might replace Vanna Howard as State Representative had already started when she announced her candidacy for the State Senate seat vacated with the passing of Ed Kennedy last October. Those whispers turned to open speculation when she defeated fellow State Representative Rodney Elliott in the February 3 Democratic primary.
With her convincing election victory last night and impending swearing in to the State Senate, whispers and speculation turned into to full blown conversations and action this morning.
John Drinkwater, the former Lowell City Councilor and one-time candidate for State Senate, confirmed weeks of rumors about his interest with a statement congratulating Howard on her victory and focusing his gaze squarely on the seat she’s vacating.
“I am thrilled that Vanna Howard has been elected as our next State Senator in the First Middlesex District,” Drinkwater told InsideLowell. “As a State Representative, Vanna has been a tireless advocate for her constituents and for the issues that she champions. Over the past several weeks I have been humbled by the amount of outreach I have received encouraging me to run, should the 17th Middlesex House seat open up. With that opening now a reality, I am very strongly considering a run for State Representative. While there are still a number of considerations I must weigh before making a decision, I wanted to share my thoughts in hopes of inviting more conversation from residents of the district in Lowell and Tewksbury. As always, the most important consideration in all of my decisions is my family, and they will be at the forefront of my decision-making process.”
Based on strong finishes in his at-large city council races, and a near miss in the hotly contested 2018 State Senate race where he finished second to Ed Kennedy, the resident of Lowell’s Belvidere neighborhood would instantly become one of the big fishes in the pond should he ultimately decide to wade in.
Lowell Firefighter Anthony Leite is already in the race. The Union President officially announced his candidacy in an InsideLowell Daily Pulse Podcast in early February.
Harini Aiyer, a newcomer to Lowell’s political scene, had also filed campaign paperwork with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Aiyer lives on Smith St., which is located between Westford and Chelmsford Streets and is widely considered part of Lowell’s Highlands neighborhood, but is actually slotted into the 17th Middlesex District.
No doubt other names will be bounced around as potential candidates now that Howard’s House departure is confirmed. Current city councilor Kim Scott and her former colleague John Leahy are just two of the ones circulating in the political arena.
How large the field gets beyond Leite and Aiyer could very well depend on whether Drinkwater ultimately decides to try to relocate from his current union job with IUPAT 35, to the Massachusetts House.
One response to “With Howard Moving Out of the House, Drinkwater Thinking of Moving In”
Not that anyone cares what I have to say, but iam gonna say it anyway. A couple years ago at an election fundraiser I had told former Representative Dave Nangle, who at the time was contemplating another run for office that I would help him. I always keep my promises, so he would be my first choice if he chooses to run. A promise is a promise. Second would be Corey Belanger who I feel was a very hardworking city councilor. I had inquired at a past city council mtg if he as going to seek the representative office. His response was he was waiting to see what happens. Third, I believe the very courageous lady who always advocates for her district, especially with Markley, Lowell City Councilor Kim Scott would be my third choice. If none of the above choose to run, then yes absolutely, Mr. John Drinkwater.