This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Will Mike Capuano be Swampscott's next Congressman?

View from a Swampy Shanty. An irreverent look at all things considered.

Massachusetts is slated to lose one Congressional seat in the next election. If all ten current Democratic Congressmen choose to seek re-election, who will be the odd man out? A redistricting committee of State lawmakers is currently hearing testimony about how the Commonwealth should be carved up. Meetings have been scheduled across the state including one at Lynn City Hall on June 20.

The most logical solution would be to merge Districts 1 and 2 in the Western part of the State pitting Congressman John Olver against Congressman Richard Neal. However State Sen. Stanley Rosenberg (D. -Amherst) the committee’s co-chair seems to be strongly opposed to that solution. Many pundits think that John Tierney is the weakest in the current field of Congressmen. He has been damaged by the recent conviction of his wife on tax charges and he presides over the second most Republican district in the State. While last year’s opponent Bill Hudak would not pose a major threat, Richard Tsei, Charlie Baker’s running mate in 2010 might.

One redistricting map being advanced by the blog Swing State Project http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/8781/massachusetts-redistricting-eliminating-tierney          pits Tierney against Rep. Ed Markey of Malden. Markey would get the support of the Democratic establishment, is regarded as the superior fundraiser and already has a much larger war chest.  The Swing State map would move Swampscott, Marblehead, Lynn and Tsei’s hometown of Wakefield into a district now represented by Mike Capuano of Somerville. Swing State feels that this plan would best ensure that the Massachusetts Congressional delegation remains solidly Democratic. The fact that two of Tierney’s top aides have recently resigned only advances the conspiracy theory about Tierney’s demise.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Congratulations to Benjamin Gogel of Swampscott who was recently selected as a youth delegate to the Democratic State Party Convention, June 4th, in Lowell. Clare Kelly, Democratic State Committee Executive Director, says “This convention promises to be exciting as we'll be adopting an "Action Agenda" that will focus on civic engagement, electoral techniques, and issue based grassroots organizing. We will also hear from all declared Democratic candidates for United States Senate.”

The selection of youth delegates in addition to delegates from town and city committees is part of the Democratic Party’s commitment to broaden participation and to obtain perspectives from a variety of voters. Gogel is completing his freshmen year at Emerson College. His political involvement includes working on the Patrick/Murray re-election campaign and the Obama campaign. He views himself as an open-minded person who became a Democrat because the party “allows for unpopular opinions”. “It’s important for voters, and especially young people, to express their minds,” he says. “Young people tend to explore many options, many solutions to problems. We don’t have a rigid only one way works approach. In political terms, it’s important to be able to agree to disagree.”

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As a convention delegate, Gogel hopes to provide input into party policy development and the “Action Agenda”. “I’ve been selected to represent young people across the state, not just Swampscott. I hope to learn more about the political process and to be heard. There are many issues such as the economy, jobs, and social justice that need to be addressed.”

Swampscott and Nahant Democrats will be conducting a food drive for local food pantries next Saturday at the Stop & Shop in Lynn. Shoppers will be presented with a “wish list” of food staples, requested to purchase a few and deposit them at a table upon exit. This is a monthly event of the two towns’ Democratic Committees and is held at a rotating list of local supermarkets. The food is distributed to a number of food pantries in Swampscott and Lynn. They regularly raise over a ton of food each time. Stop by between 9:00-3:00 and help.

Seth  Meyer’s presentation at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner was hilarious - better than any Friar’s Roast I have ever seen. You can catch the video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YGITlxfT6s Find out what made “The Donald” squirm.

You know that things are going to hell in this country when Superman decides to renounce his US citizenship. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/superman-no-more_558433.html

I am happy to report that the Iowa man who consumed nothing but beer and water for Lent has survived. He broke his fast on Easter morn with a bacon smoothie. Deo gratias! http://www.cathnewsusa.com/2011/04/man-survives-lenten-beer-fast/

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?