Council Candidate Political Biographies

Tomorrow at 5 pm is the deadline for candidates in the 2011 Lowell City Council race to turn in their nomination papers. While we’re not yet sure who will be on the ballot, here’s a list of the candidates who took out papers with a list of the political offices each has sought in the past. “Elected to” means the individual was elected to the office indicated. “Ran for” means the candidate ran for the office but was not elected. The list shows incumbents first followed by challengers:

Incumbents:

Broderick, Kevin
Elected to Lowell City Council: 2005, 2007, 2009
Filled vacancy on Council in August 2005 after resignation of Rithy Uong
Ran for Lowell City Council: 2003

Elliott, Rodney
Elected to Lowell City Council: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
Ran for Lowell City Council: 1995

Descoteaux, Franky
Elected to Lowell City Council: 2009

Martin, William
Elected to Lowell City Council: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
Elected Mayor of Lowell: 2005
Ran for State Representative (18 Mid): 1998 (Democratic Primary)

Mendonca, Joseph
Elected to Lowell City Council: 2009
Ran for Lowell City Council: 2005, 2007
Filled vacancy on Lowell City Council in 2007 when George Ramirez resigned
Elected to Lowell School Committee: 1999, 2001, 2003
Ran for Lowell School Committee: 1995, 1997
Filled vacancy on School Committee in 1998 when Kathryn Stoklosa passed away

Mercier, Rita
Elected to Lowell City Council: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
Elected Mayor of Lowell: 2001
Ran for State Representative (18 Mid): 1998 (Democratic Primary)

Milinazzo, James
Elected to Lowell City Council: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
Elected Mayor of Lowell: 2009
Ran for Lowell City Council: 2001

Murphy, Patrick
Elected to Lowell City Council: 2009
Ran for Congress: 2007 (Unenrolled)

Challengers

Belley, Paul
Ran for Lowell City Council: 2009

Belanger, Corey
Ran for Governors Council: 2010

Descoteaux, John – first time candidate

Doyle, Frederick J
Ran for Lowell City Council: 1973, 1977, 1981, 1989, 2009

Kennedy, Edward
Elected Middlesex County Commissioner: 1992
Elected to Lowell City Council: 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983
Ran for Lowell City Council: 1975, 1985, 1987
Filled vacancy on Council in October 1987 when Raymond Rourke resigned
Ran for Middlesex North Register of Deeds: 1994 (Democratic Primary)
Ran for Sheriff (to fill vacancy): 1996 (Democratic Primary)
Ran for Sheriff: 1998 (Democratic Primary)

Leahy, John
Elected to Lowell School Committee: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009

Lorrey, Marty – first time candidate

MacDonald, John – first time candidate

Mercier, Armand
Elected to Lowell City Council: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
Ran for Lowell City Council: 2009
Elected Mayor of Lowell: 2003

Merrill, Robert – first time candidate

Nuon, Vesna – previously ran for Lowell School Committee

O’Connor, Patrick A
Ran for Middlesex North Register of Deeds: 1994 (Unenrolled)
Ran for State Representative (19 Mid): 1998 (Democratic Primary)

Pech, Van – first time candidate

Wanjiku, Frederick – first time candidate