Primary struggle heats up

Matewsky seeking Smith's House seat

An electoral showdown between two popular Everett political figures is growing more heated as it heads toward a finale.

Freshman state Representative Stephen "Stat" Smith is battling Alderman at Large Wayne A. Matewsky in the Sept. 16 Democratic primary in the 28th Middlesex District, which includes Everett and two Malden precincts. With no other contenders for the seat, the primary winner has a clear route to victory in November.

In a sign of rising temperatures in the race, Matewsky last month filed a criminal complaint against Smith in Malden District Court, alleging that his opponent had made serious threats against him on two occasions during the campaign.

Following a hearing on Aug. 12, assistant clerk magistrate Paul Burns continued the hearing for 90 days, according to another assistant clerk magistrate, John Sullivan.

Smith acknowledged making pointed remarks to Matewsky in which "I could have used a better choice of words." But he said he was speaking in the context of the election and meant no physical threat.

Sullivan said that typically the continuation of a hearing would mean that "if in fact no similar issues were to occur between the parties, the matter may in fact be dismissed" when the hearing resumes.

More recently, Matewsky said Aug. 29 that 106 of his campaign signs had been damaged by Smith's campaign over the preceding week. Smith said his campaign had nothing to do with damage to Matewsky's signs.

In an interview, Matewsky said that he would bring representation to the district in the tradition of former representatives Edward G. Connolly, William Hogan, and George Keverian. "Those are the people I looked up to as my state representative. [Smith] is definitely not in that category."

Retorted Smith, "On my worst day, and on [Matewsky's] best day, he couldn't do the job I do day in and day out."

A former common councilor and alderman and current School Committee member, Smith, 53, narrowly lost to Connolly in the 2004 primary. Following Connolly's death in 2006, Smith won a hard-fought race to claim the seat. He was elected to the School Committee last year.

Matewsky, 50, is a 27-year City Council veteran. Appointed to a vacant Ward 1 Common Council seat in 1981, he was elected to the seat that fall, and went on to win reelection 12 times before running successfully for alderman at large in 2007.

Both have their strong backers.

Among those siding with Smith is School Committee member and former Housing Authority chairman Joseph Guiliano.

"He's a hard worker. He's never afraid to speak on issues. He's never walked away from a tough vote," Guiliano said of Smith.

"Even to this day, as a freshman state representative, he makes some tough votes," he said, recalling Smith's vote in favor of casino gambling, a position at odds with House leadership.

Ward 4 Common Councilor John Leo McKinnon is in Matewsky's corner.

"He's a people's person," McKinnon said of Matewsky. "If any constituent calls him, he gets back to him right away. I think he'd be a fast learner up there" at the State House. "He's been in city government 27 years and done a tremendous job here as a councilor and now as an alderman at large."

Matewsky is a justice of the peace. He is also a union bricklayer, performing side jobs in that trade.

"I bring the experience of helping people with any and all constituent problems," said Matewsky, who was Common Council president in 1999 and 2005. "That's why I've been so successful in city government, being elected year after year. People know me and they are happy with my representation."

As a state legislator, he said he would work to increase fuel assistance to seniors and low-income people in the community. He said he would also continue to be an advocate for veterans, and seek more funding for the local schools.

Smith, who manages real estate properties, said he is running on his record, including delivering to Everett its largest-ever school aid amounts in each of the last two years, and helping expand funding for the Chelsea Soldiers' Home.

He said he has also helped in obtaining rate relief for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority communities.

"I put all my effort into being a state representative and I've done a great job for the district," he said.

Smith said he would continue to focus on securing state funding for the district, and on providing timely assistance to constituents.

"I have one of the busiest districts on Beacon Hill and I attempt to help every single person that calls me," he said.