Incumbents and (possible) challengers

In this week's Reporter we take a look at who's pulled nomination papers for what legislative seat in the Dorchester/Mattapan area.

Pulling of papers is an indication of interest in running. Because papers can be pulled until late April, when nomination signatures are due, we could see other candidates crop up in the weeks ahead.

Most of the action is taking place in the Fourth Suffolk District. Rep. Brian Wallace could face four challengers. The Fifth Suffolk District, where Marie St. Fleur (who didn't get a chance to pull papers because she was in Haiti) is the representative, could see some action, too. Schoolteacher and St. Fleur critic Barry Lawton hasn't pulled papers but says he's running. Steve Wise, who is unenrolled, has pulled papers.

And, of course, there's the race to replace Rep. Willie Mae Allen, who's stepping down after two terms. (It could end up being a three-way Democratic primary.)

As for the rest of area's representatives and senators, it's pretty quiet so far. Contrast that with the high turnover and talk about -supposedly nonpartisan - voter anger and anti-incumbent fervor in other parts of the Bay State. Boston appears largely immune to that.

Maybe that shouldn't be too surprising. One state representative pointed us to the mayoral race last year. Facing his toughest race in probably fifteen years, Mayor Thomas Menino was re-elected by a large margin. Mayors in Brockton, Fall River, Lynn, North Adams, Westfield and Worcester didn't fare as well and were tossed out.

That was all before voters went to the polls on Jan. 19 to vote on who should replace U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Campaign finances should also be interesting to watch. For a refresher on the last election cycle, check out this OCPF report (PDF).

In 2008, Senate candidates (58 for 40 seats) on average spent $74,883 on their individual campaigns. That an increase of $9,222 from 2006. (In the Second Suffolk District, then-incumbent Dianne Wilkerson spent $215,287 to Sonia Chang-Diaz's $182,281. It was the race with the highest expenditure total that year.)

In the 160-member House, 253 candidates ran for office, down from 16 in 2006. Candidates on average each spent $32,439.

The two contested races that year were perennial candidate Roy Owens (who spent no money) versus St. Fleur ($76,762) and Rep. Allen ($28,242) versus Kathy Gabriel ($4,721). Gabriel appears to be making another go of it with Allen's retirement.