Same cast, different script in rematch
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Electoral rematches are hardly uncommon, but it is rare that two candidates square off twice in the same year.
That is what is happening in the Eighth Essex District, where Democratic incumbent Lori A. Ehrlich and Republican John Blaisdell, both of Marblehead, are competing for the state representative seat Nov. 4. Ehrlich defeated Blaisdell and independent Mark Barry on March 5 in a special election in the Eighth Essex, which includes Marblehead, Swampscott, and part of Lynn.
"It certainly has a déjà vu feeling to it because it's so recent," Ehrlich said.
But for all the similarities, there are differences for her this time, she said. "My organization is built, and as an incumbent, I have a record to run on.
"The campaign process the first time around was a good introduction, and now I'm able to just remind people that I'm running again, and solidify our relationship."
Blaisdell said for him, the race feels "very different" this time, starting with the weather. During the last campaign, "We were out in the cold weather at all different times of day. Obviously, it's not a problem right now."
Like Ehrlich, Blaisdell believes his current candidacy will benefit from the effort he waged last time. "It's not like I have to wear a button and . . . introduce myself" to voters, he said. "They know who I am."
Clark, who also won a special election March 5, drew no challengers in her bid for reelection in the 32d Middlesex District, which includes Melrose and part of Wakefield.
"It's rewarding," Clark said. "We worked so hard on the campaign and I was so grateful for the election results and how much effort all the candidates put into the race. And not having an opponent has allowed me to concentrate on some issues in the district . . . and open a district office and start writing some articles for the local papers."
She said it also enabled her "to spend some much-needed time with my family."
Clark does plan some political activity this fall, including assisting colleagues with their races, "and doing whatever I can to help the Obama-Biden ticket in Massachusetts or New Hampshire."
Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk has not made an endorsement in the Sept. 16 primary, in which incumbent Anthony J. Verga is vying with Astrid af Klinteberg and Ann-Margaret Ferrante.
"I don't think it's a wise political move on my part to endorse a candidate," Kirk said.
But she is watching the race closely, and will make her own decision on who will get her vote.
"It's going to come down to who can deliver on a strong partnership between the state and the city," Kirk said. "There are just so many challenges facing the city and we need partnerships now more than ever."
Rutter, chairwoman of the Boxford Democratic Town Committee, embraced the candidacy of Barack Obama in December, at a time when most active Democrats in the area were supporting Hillary Clinton or John Edwards.
Similarly, Medeiros, a Republican State Committee member from Melrose, lined up behind John McCain in early January when most active local Republicans were supporting Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani.
"It's been gratifying to find that the kinds of things I valued and noticed in Obama early on, largely through his works and his books and speeches, are things that many other people came to find valuable, too," said Rutter.
Rutter served as an elected Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
"Having faith in your candidate is important, and it's really nice when it pays off," said Medeiros, reached on her cellphone at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul last week, where she was serving as an at-large McCain delegate from Massachusetts.
Another early backer of McCain is feeling less enthused about his candidate.
Former Rockport selectman Frederick H. Tarr was a gung-ho McMain supporter when he ran in 2000, and was quick to get behind him in this year's race, campaigning for the Arizona senator in New Hampshire last fall.
But Tarr said with McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, "He's gone too far to the right, for my thinking."
Tarr, who calls himself a Teddy Roosevelt Republican - a label McCain himself has embraced - said he is uncomfortable with what he regards as Palin's anti-environmental stands and conservative stances on social issues.
While he remains a McCain supporter, "My enthusiasm is somewhat tempered," Tarr said.
"I think his core values are still just as good [as in 2000]. I just wish he'd be more emphatic in expressing them."
