Primaries for Eighth Essex seat put spotlight on local aid

Boston Globe By John Laidler
January 31, 2008

Democratic and Republican candidates are making final pitches to voters in advance of primaries Tuesday in the special election for the Eighth Essex State representative seat.
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Cesar A. Archilla of Swampscott and Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead are squaring off in the Democratic primary, while John Blaisdell and Tanya DeGenova, both of Marblehead, are vying in the Republican primary. The district includes Marblehead, Swampscott, and two Lynn precincts.

A private attorney and former assistant Essex district attorney, Archilla works at the same Salem law firm as state Representative Michael Costello of Newburyport, who supports his candidacy.

"I'll be a fighter for the district," Archilla said, noting that the advocacy skills he gained as a trial lawyer would help him play that role. He said the many contacts he had made practicing law are also a plus.

Archilla said his priority would be "addressing the local economy and maximizing state aid for our schools and our local town budgets."
Ehrlich, a self-employed certified public accountant, cofounded two area environmental organizations.

She said the economy would be her key concern. "Economic issues seem to be primary in all of the communities in the district, and our municipal budgets are feeling the crush of declining revenues and escalating expenses.
"I'd like to take my 22 years of business experience and my policy advocacy and kick it up a notch," Ehrlich said. "I really want to get to the State House and make sure our collective voices are heard."

A retired Marblehead police officer, Blaisdell owns a mortgage brokerage.
"There is not another candidate that is as close to the people in this district as I am," he said, noting that he has lived in all three communities, and the connections he has made with average people from his years in public service.

Calling local aid his priority, Blaisdell promised to "spend as many days and as many hours as are necessary to bring some of that money back to our communities."

A retired career FBI agent, DeGenova runs a security consulting firm.
"I bring my people skills, my experience in national security and civil rights" to the race, she said, adding that she also can offer a "fresh perspective."
"We need more state aid now to be able to ensure a good education for our children," DeGenova said. She said she strongly opposes "providing any state benefits to illegal aliens at the expense of our communities."

The primary winners will square off in the March 4 special election with independent Mark Barry of Marblehead.