Is up for grabs this fall what with Will Brownsberger moving up to the State Senate. Thanks to redistricting about six precincts in Arlington and two in North Cambridge are now a part of what is, a Belmont centered house district.
Accordingly, the Arlington Town Democratic Committee (AKA "Spartan Central") organized a very well attended candidate's forum wherein Ms. Margaret Hegarty, Bob Reardon and Dave Rogers all answered questions from the aud.
A good democratic primary has it's problematic features, notably a general tendency towards agreement among the captioned candidates.
None of them want the Belmont Uplands or the infamous "Mugar Property" developed in any manner shape or form although all three seem resigned to a limited set of options in this case.
All of them pussyfoot around the subject of taxes, they dislike casinos (but seemed resigned to that revenue stream) and will somehow shake down the State Government for more local aid especially for education. In fact in ninety minutes of palaver, the only real policy difference was over the pending "Three Strikes Law", Ms. Hegarty ( a former prosecutor) seemed to like it, Rogers and Reardon had their doubts.
So trust me, it was hardly "Lincoln versus Douglas" out there....none of these candidates seems overgifted with the power of persuasive oratory.
Stylistically if I had to score it, props to Margaret Hegarty who is relentlessly well informed with a strong resume as well (helps that she is reasonably presentable too), Dave Rogers seems like he has a prickly sense of humor waiting to bust out and Reardon well he is young and good looking if nothing else.
On the other hand, if young Mister Reardon wants to win this race he should not be asking for what amounts to a "life line" from Senator Ken Donnelly when a question comes up regarding the Supreme Court's "Citizen's United" decision...just sayin' thass all.
Otherwise, ideologically this might turn into a very interesting contest between North Cambridge's own Dave Rogers and Margaret Hegarty, they seem to have intriguing assymetrical strengths.
Electorally, the fight is one between Belmont Natives Hegarty and Reardon who both have competitive bases in the core of the district. A lot depends on their ability to project strength into those Belmont precincts...a process that at best Humble Elias watches from a distant remove.
Right now my gut is, it is Hegarty's to lose based on her presumed strength with the Hilaryistas within and without Belmont's democrats with Reardon and Rogers trying hard to get into competitive challenger position.
For the rest of it, will advise....
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