How Hull Voted – State Primary, Sept. 8

STATE PRIMARY POLLS OPEN UNTIL 8 PM

By Susan Ovans

Today is the state primary election. Secretary of State William Galvin forecasts that less than 10 percent of registered voters statewide will go to the polls.
That number may be significantly higher in Hull, Hingham, Cohasset, and North Scituate, where five candidates are mounting write-in campaigns to replace veteran state representative Garrett Bradley, who resigned his seat last month.
Bradley's resignation came after the deadline to withdraw had passed. Voters who take a Democratic ballot will see his name on the ballot, but Bradley says he will decline the nomination if he wins today.
Two former Hull selectmen–John Brannan and Joan Meschino–are among the five running a write-in (also known as a sticker) campaign for state rep.
Brannan is a Republican. Meschino is a Democrat.
The winners of each party's election will compete in the November general election. There may also be a third nominee, from the United Independent party, if Cohasset's Keri Thompson secures enough votes to earn her place on the November ballot.
The polls at the Memorial School, 81 Central Ave., are open until 8 p.m.
To vote for a write-in candidate for state representative, you must find a campaign worker at the polls who has stickers, or you can "write in" your candidate's name and address on the STATE REPRESENTATIVE line. THEN YOU MUST FILL IN THE OVAL NEXT TO THE NAME (or sticker).
Here are the names and addresses as listed on the candidates' websites. [Kristen Arute's has no address listed. Keri Thompson instructs supporters to write in her name, followed by Cohasset.]
DEMOCRATS
• Stephen Burm, 5 Pine Grove Rd., Hingham
• Joan Meschino, 1 Bradford Ave., Hull
REPUBLICANS
• Kristen Arute, Hingham
• John Brannan, 11 Merrill Rd., Hull
UNITED INDEPENDENT PARTY
• Keri Thompson, Cohasset
Because the primary election falls on a Thursday this year instead of the regular Tuesday, many voters aren't aware that the polls are open today. And write-in campaigns are notoriously difficult.
The candidates have worked hard in the few weeks since Bradley announced his departure to make themselves known to the Third Plymouth District electorate. Please reward them for their efforts. Vote today. ∞

Rep. Garrett Bradley to resign

By Matt Murphy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

Second Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Garrett Bradley, a senior member of House Speaker Robert DeLeo's leadership team, will resign from the Legislature at the end of July to take a "more senior role" at his Boston law firm, the Hingham Democrat confirmed Monday afternoon.

Bradley intends to remain in the House through the close of formal sessions on July 31 before stepping down. His decision will open up a South Shore House seat, one that he's held for nearly 16 years, about a month before primaries are scheduled to take place.

"I would never not put one hundred percent into this job and I can see over the balance of this year and into the coming years I wouldn't have the time to do this job the way it should be done. It's bittersweet for me," Bradley told the News Service.

The coastal district Bradley represents covers Cohasset, Hull, five Hingham precincts and one precinct in Scituate.

His intention to resign was first reported Monday afternoon by the Boston Globe. Bradley said a "great opportunity" at Thornton Law Firm, where he is an attorney, presented itself within the past six weeks and would require extensive travel out of the state and the country.

On the firm's website, Bradley, a Boston College Law School graduate, lists his practice areas as complex financial fraud, whistleblower litigation and class action litigation.

Prior to his announcement, Bradley planned to seek a ninth term to the Third Plymouth District seat. He is the only candidate on the ballot from either party, according to the Secretary of State's office.

A spokesman for elections overseer Secretary of State William Galvin said June 8 was the deadline for candidates to withdraw their names from the Sept. 8 primary ballot. Other potential candidates for the seat can mount write-in primary campaigns. If Bradley wins the Democratic primary, he would have until Sept. 13 to withdraw his name from the general election ballot. An executive committee formed by the Democratic State Committee would then have the option to nominate a replacement candidate by Wednesday, Sept. 14.

In a press release, Bradley, whose wife Heather Bradley is a district court judge, cited a desire to spend more time with his three children, including his older daughter who is applying to attend college.

"I have made this difficult decision to leave this job that I truly love," Bradley wrote in the press release. "I do so hoping never to close the door on a future opportunity to serve the people of this great state."

[Michael Norton contributed reporting]

Candidates Make Final Push Before Today's Election

Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce's Candidates night, located at The Red Parrot.

Kelvin Jones photos for The Hull Times.

President Patricia Abbate addressed the crowd at the Hull-Nantasket Chamber of Commerce's candidates event last night at The Red Parrot.

Mark Abatuno, a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, and Robin Flint, the organization's administrator, at the check-in table.

State Senate candidate Patrick O'Connor (in suit) with a contingent of Hull signholders. At left is Bob DeCoste, O'Connor's Hull coordinator.

L to R: Interim Town Clerk Lori West, Senate candidate Joan Meschino, Selectman John Reilly, who are all running in today's election.

Anne Margaret Gould MacEachern, who is seeking reelection to the Hull Housing Authority.

Hull Housing Authority candidate Jim Richman and his wife, Gail.

Town Clerk candidate Pamela Sinton-Coffman addressed the crowd.

School Committeeman Dave Twombly is running for a third term on the board.

Jennifer Fleming [L], who is making her first bid for the school committee, and Jen Olivieri, one of the organizers for Move Hull Forward, which supports the debt-exclusion ballot question.

At center, Kimberly McNeil-Downs, candidate for school committee.

School committee candidate Susan Habchy listens to a question.

Selectman candidate Steve Forcum is one of the founders of ACT, the Association of Concerned Townspeople.

Planning board Chairman Jennifer Constable is looking to move to the board of selectmen.

John Brannan [R], candidate for reelection to the board of selecmen, and his wife, Lita, speak with a voter. 

Daniel Ciccariello is unopposed in his reelection campaign for Hull Municipal Light Board.

John 'Doc' Silva said he emerged from retirement to run for town moderator.