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.
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.
Former School Committee member Katherine Clark, Alderman at large Ron Seaboyer, and Guido Federico, all of Melrose, are the candidates. The winner will face Melrose Republican Mark B. Hutchinson, who has no primary opponent, in the March 4 special election.
Clark, a lawyerwas until recently chief of the state attorney general's policy and government relations division.
"What I offer the district is a long commitment to service in my community," she said.
"Combine that with 18 years in public service as an attorney, and I think I have a great knowledge of the issues facing families in this area."
She said her top issue is "developing stability in state aid so the cities and towns in Massachusetts can provide the services that we count on."
Federico is a compliance officer for the state Division of Capital Asset Management, and a longtime community volunteer.
"I'm the people's voice. I'm accountable, and I'm obligated and committed to the people only," said Federico, who promises to be a full-time legislator.
"My immediate priority is to seek some financial relief for the cities and towns," he said. "We just can't put any more on the backs of the people of this district."
Seaboyer, a union electrician who runs a photography business, said he would offer "a full-time voice in the State House, and a voice that will be very visible in the two communities."
He said he would fight for "proper state funding for the schools" and to have the state assume the full cost of charter schools.
"That's going to allow Wakefield and Melrose the money they need to keep their fire and police stations and DPWs properly staffed," he said.
John Laidler can be reached at laidler@globe.com.
