Many in political circles in Burlington are keeping their eyes glued on the special election to fill the vacant Massachusetts senate seat.
Not a lot politically happens in Burlington unless acknowledged front runner, incumbent Attorney General Martha Coakley should win the seat.
That event could possibly trigger a domino effect through out the town.
As you may or may not know, when that office becomes vacant it is filled by an appointment by the legislature. Since the house far outnumbers the senate then it can be deduced that the likely appointee would be a sitting house member or their designee.
Here is where it gets politically delicious for the Burlington political gadfly. Our own Representative Charles Murphy is rumored to be interested in the position. Having already shown his influence in the house by virtue of his appointment as the Ways and Means chairman, it would automatically seem that Charles is in play.
Add to his interest the fact that for a change we have a potential political appointee with credentials. Charlie is a former Marine captain assigned to the Judge Advocate’s office. His education credentials also seem to be a match having graduated from the following schools, Villanova University '87; Vermont Law School '90, Kennedy School of Government '02.
So let’s assume for a moment that Charles does get the appointment. He would then have roughly nine months to get powered up to run in a state wide election next November. In the mean time, a special primary and general election would have to be set up district wide in order to fill his rep vacancy.
The domino effect now comes into full play because of the plethora of candidates already in town wide offices that might make a run to fill Charlie’s seat. A list that is by no means complete might include the following rumored candidates in Burlington; planning board members Jane Hyde and Joseph Impemba, board of selectmen members Ralph Patuto and Sonia Rollins as well as ways and means committee member Tim Cummings to name just a few that might have interest.
So let’s hope Burlington’s stature is increased by having a member of our community holding a constitutional office and then let’s get strapped in for the domino effect!
