Ward 4 Vice Chair Jonathan Cohn Comments on the State of the Suffolk 9 Race
Michael Jonas’ April 19th political commentary for Commonwealth Magazine includes a poignant analysis of the “dismal, recurring storyline underscoring the state’s political torpor: Massachusetts is among the least competitive states in the country when it comes to elections for state legislative seats.”
For the first time in more than 40 years,” Jonas writes, ”no incumbent will be on the ballot for the Ninth Suffolk District seat.” With the recent withdrawal of candidate Chary Ortiz, South End activist John Moran is running unopposed.
“I think John is a good guy,” comments Jonathan Cohn. “But I think having elections is always a great opportunity to have a full discussion of various issues, so whenever you don’t have a number of candidates running, you lose something for the small-d democratic process.”
Jonas mentions the April 13th candidate forum that Ward 4 co-sponsored with Chinese Progressive Association, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, MassVote, and Reclaim Roxbury. Moderator Cheryl Clyburn Crawford (MassVOTE Executive Director) pivoted to a town hall session as the field narrowed to one.
The special election to fill the Suffolk 9 legislative seat is coming up on May 30th. Primary day is May 2nd.
