Elections

Watertown Firefighters Back Candidate in State Rep. Race

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The Watertown Firefighters union endorsed John Lawn in his re-election bid for the 10th Middlesex State Representative seat. Local 1347 announced its endorsement on Facebook on Friday. The message cited Lawn’s work with Fire Chief Bob Quinn to get a second set of turnout gear (the clothing worn by firefighters during calls). “Before we received the back up turnout gear we were forced to wear the wet, carcinogen contaminated turnout gear after any fire we had. With the rise in occupational cancer, it has been discovered that cancer causing agents enter our bodies through our skin, as well as respiratory systems,” the announcement said.

Elections

LETTER: Chair of Progressive Watertown Endorses State Rep. Candidate

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I ask you to vote for Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens in the Middlesex 29th District State Representative race. I have known Steve since 2012 and have come to know his wife Pia and their two sons over the years. They are dedicated parents raising their boys to become curious, confident, standup adults and citizens. Even among all of this chaos, they remain steadfast. As a representative, Steve will be exceptional for several reasons.

COVID-19

Early Voting Lighter in Watertown, Mail-In Ballots Pouring In

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Voting in 2020 will look quite a bit different due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with safety measures for in-person voters and many ballots coming in by mail or hand delivered to Town Hall. Midway through the early voting period for the Sept. 1 State Primary, the numbers of people voting is significantly down, said Watertown Town Clerk John Flynn, but thousands of mail-in ballots have come in. The primary includes the race for U.S. Senate for both Democrats and Republicans, and for the Dems there is a race for State Representative. Click on the links to see more about the candidates for the 29th Middlesex race (Pcts.

29th Middlesex

LETTER: Town Councilor Endorses State Rep. Candidate

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Dear Voter,

It is with great enthusiasm that I join Representative Hecht in endorsing Steve Owens as the next Representative for the 29th Middlesex District. I urge you to join us in voting for Steve in the Democratic primary election on Tuesday, September 1. I have known Steve for nearly twenty years and we have worked together on many local, state, and national political campaigns during that time. I have benefited from his wisdom and political acumen as he has served on my campaign committee since 2009. A long-time Watertown resident, Steve is credited with revitalizing the Watertown Democratic Town Committee and has served as its Chair for the last twelve years. He also has twice won election to the Democratic State Committee.  

I am supporting Steve and asking you to do the same because he is a progressive activist and proven leader ready to take on the many challenges facing Massachusetts. As our State Representative he will champion the issues that the Legislature must address with a commitment to transparency and equity. 

He will join other progressive legislators in supporting policies that combat climate change and create environmental sustainability. He will be an advocate for affordable housing for tenants and homeowners and for public education from pre-kindergarten to college. As a professionaltransportation expert, Steve knows how important safe, reliable public transit is for workers and businesses.

Around Town

Candidates Q&As for 10th Middlesex State Rep.: Lawn vs. Leary

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Candidates for the 10th Middlesex State Representative election, John Lawn of Watertown and Alison Leary of Newton. Incumbent State Rep. John Lawn faces a challenge from Newton City Councilor Alison Leary for the 10th Middlesex State Representative seat, which includes the Westside of Watertown. Watertown News presented each candidate with a set of questions about their positions, concerns and more. See what they said. Both seek the Democratic nomination for the 10th Middlesex District.

10th Middlesex

State Rep. Candidate Q&A: John Lawn

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State Rep. John Lawn

Biography

I was born and raised in Watertown and got involved in local politics in the mid-2000s when a local development project was being proposed in my neighborhood. I was Watertown Councilor from 2006-2012, and won a special election for state representative of Waltham, Watertown, and Newton in 2011. I’ve been proud of legislative achievements, including statute of limitation reform; veterans legislation; and, most recently, a historic expansion of voting options in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. My wife, Shannon, and I live in Watertown where we’re raising our 5 children. What issues have been your priority as a State Representative? 

Investing in our public schools, advocating for our Veterans, supporting small businesses and economic growth, and tackling the opioid epidemic.  Recently, as Chair of the Elections Committee, I’ve been working on protecting the integrity of our elections while keeping residents safe and healthy when they vote.

Elections

State Rep. Candidate Q&A: Alison Leary

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Alison Leary

Biography

I am a Newton native, a Simmons University graduate and the mother of two teenagers. My husband and I live in the home where he grew up in Nonantum. I am a program manager for a human services agency that provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Prior to that I was the Associate Director for the Community Preservation Coalition and lobbied for more state funding for the Community Preservation Act. I am a four-term member of the Newton City Council, the Chair of Public Facilities and a member of the Zoning and Planning Committee working on zoning reform.

Around Town

Find Out About the Candidates Running to Replace State Rep. Hecht

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Three candidates seek to become the new State Representative for the 29th Middlesex District, which includes much of Watertown and part of Cambridge. Watertown News reached out to the candidates and asked them some questions about their priorities, experience and themselves. Three Democrats are running to replace retiring State Rep. Jonathan Hecht. No Republican is on the ballot. The district includes Watertown Precincts 1-9, as well as, Cambridge Ward 9, Ward 10’s Precinct 3 and Ward 11’s Precinct 2.