Former Lawrence Mayor – albeit briefly – now incumbent State Representative Marcos Devers is being challanged in his reelection bid on two fronts. Jose L. Santiago both a former state representative and former but fired Methuen police sergeant, has taken out papers to run as an unenrolled candidate. Santiago held the 16th Essex District rep seat prior to his defeat by current Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua. Devers will be challenged in the Democratic primary by Chally Ramos who also ran in the 2010 special election to replace Lantigua. The district is a Lawrence-only seat. Three hundred certified signatures are need by Tuesday to qualify for the ballot. No Republicans have pulled papers to run in this district.

The redistricting created another Lawrence-centric seat in the new 17th Essex rep district currently held by Republican Paul Adams.  Back in February Lawrence City Council President Frank Moran announced his run for this district seat. Adams is switching political gears to challege incumbent State Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover) in the Second Essex District covering Andover, Dracut, Lawrence and Tewksbury. Incumbent Republican Rep Jim Lyons of the 18th Essex District now covering precincts in Andover, North Andover, Boxford and precincts 3 and 3A in Tewksbury, will be challenged by a well-known Democrat.

Stay tuned for more on these races as well as the race to replace State Senator Steve Baddour (D-Methuen) who resigned recently to take a position with a prestigious Boston law firm. Former Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi – who had pulled papers to run for Essex North Register of Deeds – looks to be the front runner in that State Senate race. The various race fields will be made clear when signatures are certified and returned to the Secretary of State’s office. It’s an active political season in  the Lower Merrimack Valley! We’ll stay on top of the action!

Read more about the Devers race in Douglas Moser’s article here in today’s Eagle Tribune.