By Patrick McGroarty and Brian Denitzio
Special to the Reporter

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson failed last week to file the 300 certifiable signatures required to make November's ballot, prompting the call for a review from her supporters and a possible change in strategy for her Republican opponent, Samiyah Diaz.

On Monday afternoon, the City of Boston announced that though Wilkerson had filed almost 500 signatures with the Boston Election Department, only 263 were certifiable, keeping her 37 short of the necessary benchmark. Signatures are refused certification if illegible or unverifiable, and some who signed in Wilkerson's favor were said to live beyond the borders of her 2nd Suffolk district.

In a statement, Wilkerson said that she would review her signatures and their home addresses and launch an aggressive sticker campaign against Diaz. For her part, Diaz may now opt to run a "write-in" campaign for the Democratic nomination. If victorious in the primary, Diaz would be running uncontested in November.

An investigation by Attorney General Tom Reilly into Wilkerson's campaign finance practices, and stories about State Representative Marie St. Fleur's past tax troubles may have encouraged challengers to their bids at reelection. In an eerie connection to Wilkerson's most recent hurdle, St. Fleur will face Republican Althea Garrison, whose only successful run for elected office came in 1992 when she was elected to the Fifth Suffolk after successfully challenging the validity of incumbent Nelson Merced's signatures. Garrison has since launched more than 10 unsuccessful campaigns for various state and city offices, most recently running as candidate for at-large city councillor. Democrats Serviano Cruz, an MBTA employee, and Roy Owens, a Christian minister and unsuccessful at-large city council candidate in 2005, also posted the requisite signatures to challenge St. Fleur this fall.

Three individuals also made the grade to vie for the 6th Suffolk seat to be vacated by Rep. Shirley Owens-Hicks. Retired police commander William Celester, former city employee Willie Mae Allen, and Roslindale resident Wayne Wilson all made the cut.

In other races, Lower Mills resident Mike Mackan garnered enough John Hancocks to face incumbent Mickey Roach in a fight for Register of Deeds, and Peter Walsh will bring the same challenge to Maura Doyle for Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court.

Incumbent Representatives Linda Dorcena Forry and Martin Walsh will run uncontested in the 12th and 13th Suffolk, respectively. State Senator Jack Hart will be running unopposed in the First Suffolk.

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Two of the five major candidates in the race for governor were on hand for the Dorchester Board of Trade's monthly luncheon on Tuesday afternoon. Independent candidate Christy Mihos and democrat Deval Patrick addressed an audience of some 70 or so local business leaders, who gathered to hear them at Venezia Restaurant in Port Norfolk.

Against the backdrop of a cold, rainy spring afternoon, Mihos and Patrick offered introductions and painted in broad strokes their vision for the commonwealth.

Mihos said that he's running as an independent because he believes that the state "is just being waylayed by both parties."

In a rousing speech, Mihos spoke about Proposition 1, his plan to revitalize the state's economy by increasing local aid and capping home values at their current level, and only allowing them to be reassessed when sold. He also proposed removing the tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Mihos was asked by an audience member about his views on the recent national debate over immigration reform. He cited his family's history, stating that he realizes the opportunity that people can find here in America, but added that laws need to be enforced.

"I'm as compassionate as the next guy, but the law is the law," said Mihos.

Patrick advocated increased investment in the state's infrastructure as a means of making Massachusetts more competitive in the global economy and more attractive for investment by major corporations.

"In the places where we compete, big investments in infrastructure is considered wise, but we have been starving our infrastructure," said Patrick.

For Patrick, the lunch was part of a full day of events in Dorchester, which included events in Codman Square and Cedar Grove Gardens, culminating in a nighttime rally at Florian Hall.