Verga faces two primary opponents

In 14 years on Beacon Hill, state Representative Anthony J. Verga has gained influence as a committee chairman and leading voice on veterans and fishing issues.

But Verga now faces a political task in his Cape Ann district: trying to fend off challenges from two other Gloucester Democrats.

Astrid af Klinteberg, a former city councilor, and Ann-Margaret Ferrante, an active member of the community, are competing with Verga in the Sept. 16 Democratic primary for the Fifth Essex District, which includes Essex, Gloucester, and Rockport. There are no other contenders, so the Democratic winner will have a clear path to victory in November.

In a recent interview, af Klinteberg sought to contrast herself with Verga and Ferrante, a former aide to state Senator Bruce E. Tarr, a Gloucester Republican.

"What sets me apart is I understand how Beacon Hill works, however I am not a part nor have I been a part of that Beacon Hill machine," said af Klinteberg, 43, a criminal defense attorney who specializes in juvenile law.

"I'm a state representative from the Fifth Essex District," responded Verga. "I come here to do the people's business at the State House. I do it to the best of my ability. I don't know what machine they may be talking about."

"I think my record shows I'm not part of any machine," said Ferrante, a lawyer who represents fishermen and others in their dealings with government. "I do what is in the best interests of the constituents. . . . I work with both sides of the aisle to accomplish the things that are needed in the district."

As a seven-term incumbent who enjoys leadership status in the House, Verga, 73, appears to be the favorite. Since 2005, the Korean War-era veteran has served as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

He also has deep roots in the Gloucester fishing community from his prelegislative days, including a stint as director of the Gloucester Fisheries Commission.

His challengers have earned name recognition from community work. In addition to her four years as a city councilor from 2000 to 2004, af Klinteberg has been active with Get Gloucester Going, a group begun last year to recruit and elect local candidates meeting its leadership criteria. She also participates in Cape Ann Time Banks, a network where services such as rides and yardwork are exchanged.

Ferrante, 36, is known locally from her stints as an aide to Tarr, and as director of the state Fisheries Recovery Commission. She is also a board member of the Sawyer Free Library and the Cape Ann Fishermen's Loan Fund, and has done legal work for the Northeast Seafood Coalition.

Verga pointed to the active role he played in the passage of such measures as bills allowing seniors the choice of being cared for in their homes rather than at a nursing home, and providing National Guard members with free education at state colleges. His goals include working on additional ways to promote use of alternative energy to create jobs and aid the environment, and to build on the recently adopted bill promoting the state's life sciences industry. He also would seek to expand state aid to local schools, and continue the effort to lower healthcare costs and increase affordable housing.

"I feel that I have a fight on my hands and I'm working as hard as I can to be reelected," said Verga. "I believe that I've done a very good job for the people I serve and I'm going to continue to do the same thing."

Ferrante said she can offer "a substantial amount of experience interacting with government and actual State House experience. I have a financial background as well as a legal background." She said she also has a "record of getting things done."

She said she would work to secure more local aid for education and for water and sewer rate relief. Other priorities include expanding access to healthcare, and spurring job creation through economic development.

Af Klinteberg said she brings "electoral experience. I bring integrity. I bring somebody who is known as being very forthright about her positions." She said the experience she has gained through her law work as "an advocate in tough situations" also would help her on Beacon Hill.

"We need to really energetically go after local aid," af Klinteberg said. "We also have to make sure that as we review the educational funding formula, that it is more in line with the cost that municipalities have to bear in adequately funding education."