A Special State Primary on November 7 and a Special State Election on December 5 will be held to choose a full-time state senator for the Worcester and Middlesex District to replace state Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan, who has resigned her senate seat to become Governor Charlie Baker’s appointee to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.
Each of the four senatorial candidates participating in the Special State Primary and the Special State Election was invited to submit a statement and/or answer questions posed by Sterling Meetinghouse News.
Candidates were asked the following questions:
- What are your top priority issues that you feel are challenges for our district?
- What are strategies that you would propose to bring about improvements?
- Do you support an improved Medicare for All health insurance system? Please explain why or why not.
- Do you support a $15 minimum wage?
- How will you help those with crippling student loan debt? Would you support tuition-free state colleges in Massachusetts?
See page 5 of the PDF edition of the Oct 18 SMN for candidates and their responses.
Meet the Democratic candidates
The Sterling Democratic Committee will sponsor a Candidates Night on Sunday, October 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Sterling Senior Center, located at 36 Muddy Pond Road.
Meet candidates Sue Chalifoux Zephir, Michael Kushmerek and Mike Mahan, who will be running in the November 7 primary election to fill the seat formerly held by State Senator Jennifer Flanagan. After the candidates present their statements, voters will have an opportunity to pose questions.
The forum will be moderated by Lex Thomas, editor of Sterling Meetinghouse News, and is expected to be rebroadcast by Sterling-Lancaster Community Television. This event is free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible.
Special State Primary – Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Special State Election – Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Houghton Elementary School, 42 Boutelle Road
Deadline to register to vote is Wednesday, October 18, 8 p.m., at the Town Clerk’s Office, Butterick Municipal Building. 2017 registration will be available for Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians. Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Monday, November 6, 12 noon.