Framingam Tab: No distractions in this political power play

This is not discounting the opinions of the above mentioned also-rans, but let’s face it: Only a Democrat is going to win the sixth district for now and the three candidates on the ballot - incumbent Pam Richardson, Dawn Harkness and Chris Walsh - all fit that bill.

In the past we’ve had crowded fields where some of the also-rans bring their particular political bent to the podium but everyone in the audience knows they don’t have a prayer of winning. The last time Republican Nick Sanchez ran (in 2006) I do believe he thought he had a chance of winning with such a huge field rushed together after Deborah Blumer died. And he ran to win, unlike Rizoli and Bloomfield who ran because it meant all eyes would be on them. Everyone would have to listen and acknowledge them because that’s what polite people do. And yes, I know they each received some votes.

But in the end, Richardson with 4,259 votes, the favorite democrat of the day won, beating Tom Tierney (123), Sanchez (3,045), Rizoli (476), Bloomfield (50) and Harkness (814) who was running as an unenrolled.

Things are different this time around. Harkness switched her political party to Democrat soon after the last election, paving the way for her to have a head to head battle with Richardson. Chris Walsh does make the campaigning a little more crowded but it’s still better, a little more focused, than the smorgasbord of political views we were all treated to in 2006.

The first big shot of the campaign was actually not fired by any candidate but by Blumer’s family. Earlier this week, they announced they will be supporting Harkness.

“Dawn sees the job more than just simply going to the State House and voting…she sees it as providing some degree of leadership to the town and doing that in a way that will bring people together, not apart,” Irwin Blumer, the late representative’s husband, told a MetroWest Daily News reporter.

“She’ll do it in a way that’s constructive. At this point the town needs that kind of leadership. I haven’t seen it, and I think it’s important.”

This is a huge score for Harkness.

“I’m humbled and honored by such an endorsement,” she told a reporter. “I worked on Debby D. Blumer’s first campaign because I so admired her drive and her work ethic and I believe those are things we shared in common. So for the Blumers to see that and endorse me because of that means a lot.”

Don’t believe the spin coming out of Richardson’s campaign. This really has to sting Richardson. When she ran in 2006 she mentioned working with Blumer - in particular against their common foe: charter schools. She also thought of Blumer as a political mentor, going so far as to say she thought Blumer was grooming her to be her successor.

What the Blumer family did is not an all-out rejection. Adam Blumer, Debby’s son and currently serving on the school committee, said it wasn’t a slight against Pam, “…it’s just that I think Dawn will be great.”

Richardson’s legislative aid, Kurt Steigel, had this reaction:

“I am confident that the residents of Framingham will not let the opinions of a few people influence their decision on whom to vote for. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

A little frosty, don’t you think? And let’s remember Steigel’s comment when Richardson starts touting her own endorsements.

Walsh was kind of left on the sidelines for this one as the Blumer family only interviewed Richardson and Harkness.

Though there was not a tidal wave of support for Richardson from town democrats - she emerged from a crowded caucus and had the advantage of being first out of the gate days after the Blumer funeral - she did win. She deserves credit for amassing the kind of support needed to get elected. Whether she’s done enough to stave off two challengers from her own party is another story. She’s served so far with little controversy so there won’t be easy pickings for negative campaigning. Though some may bring up her 32 absences on roll call votes it needs to be put into it’s proper context: She was out of town at a leadership conference when the House took up budget overrides.

Harkness has plenty of baggage coming with her to this campaign because her service on the PILOT Committee and the perception that she is too liberal. The only problem with that criticism is whether it is coming from Democratic voters. They might actually agree with Harkness’s positions.

What’s obvious is that Richardson does not enjoy the power position Blumer once held. No Democrat ever attempted to defeat Blumer. Richardson faces two challengers.

I’d wager that this campaign won’t be won at forums or going door-to-door. This is going to be an old-fashioned, behind-the-scenes power play. Whichever candidate can secure the most support from within the party players will get the nod.

Right now, could it be toss-up?

(Rob Haneisen is a metro editor with the MetroWest Daily News. He can be reached at rhaneis@cnc.com or 508-626-3882.)