What are Your Expectations for Mike Barrett as Concord's New State Senator?

A Boston Phoenix blog post casts the Lexington Democrat as ‘an unapologetic liberal’ committed to environmental gains. But what are your expectations from the Third Middlesex District's incoming state Senator?

In the leafy suburbs of the Third Middlsex District, which includes Waltham, quite a bit of attention was paid to the race for the state Senate seat claimed by Mike Barrett, the Lexington Democrat replacing retiring state Sen. Susan Fargo. So much so in fact that, in the lead up to Election Day, incumbent state Sen. Ken Donnelly, an Arlington Democrat, joked he was Lexington's other candidate for state Senate, despite the fact that his Fourth Middlesex District includes six Lexington precincts compared to the three in the Third. But for those looking at the bigger picture, it seems the Third Middlesex race—with its densely populated Democratic primary and polar opposites facing off in the general election—may have been lost in the shuffle …

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LETTER: Mike Barrett A Good Choice for Waltham

See why one Waltham residents supports Mike Barrett for state senator.

The following is a letter to the editor from a Waltham resident: Waltham’s Democratic Primary race for state senate is over, and Mike Barrett emerged the winner!  Mike’s winning campaign was grassroots, door-to-door with many volunteer supporters and based on clear, thoughtful, and independent positions.  Barrett drew upon support from legions of ordinary citizens. He couldn’t have done it without the tremendous grassroots help he got throughout the district, but especially from Waltham. In both campaign work and from individual financial donations, we elected a candidate who steadfastly refuses PAC and lobbyist dollars, and despite that, won. But the fight is not over and Mike still needs our support – volunteering and making donations. …

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LETTER: Goodwin Will Fight For Waltham

Joe Kearns Goodwin is running for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate seat.

The following is a letter to the editor from State Representatives John Lawn, D- Waltham and Thomas Stanley, D-Waltham. It is a privilege and an honor to represent the City of Waltham as your State Representatives. Waltham is a beautiful city, rich in culture and diversity unlike any other in the Commonwealth. We are blessed to serve it, and we are thankful for our years of productive collaboration with Senator Susan Fargo, who will be retiring this year. We write to you today to urge you to join us in supporting Joe Kearns Goodwin as the Democratic candidate to fill her seat. Joe is the partner we need in the State Senate to stand up and fight for the neighborhoods that we call home. As a Captain in the U.S. Army who was awarded the …

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LETTER: Buck Understands Issues

Alex Buck is running for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate seat.

The following is a letter to the editor from a Waltham resident. I support Alex Buck for State Senate because he is the right man to give local people a voice on Beacon Hill. Buck works tirelessly in the community, whether addressing important issues, overseeing the renovation of local schools, or taking important stands in the face of opposition. Unlike typical politicians, Buck leads by listening to people. He has talked with hundreds and hundreds of citizens during his campaign.  And he doesn’t just listen; he understands the important issues we face and brings new ideas and fresh solutions. If you’ve had enough of the Beacon Hill gridlock and insider politics of the past, please join me in supporting Alex Buck in the Primary on …

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LETTER: Alex Buck Listens to Residents

Alex Buck is running for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate seat.

The following is a letter to the editor from a Waltham resident. If you want a State Senator who understands your concerns, you need look no further than Alex Buck. Buck works tirelessly on causes and community projects throughout our Senate district. And he spends countless hours listening -- really listening -- to people from every walk of life, and citizens in every city and town. Buck isn’t your typical politician. He combines knowledge of our communities with the new ideas and innovative solutions we need to improve our economy. His career in life sciences gives him a unique perspective into how high tech companies thrive in Massachusetts. And he will be part of a new generation of leaders whose commitment to community and successful …

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A House Too Full at Third Middlesex District Candidates Forum

Public safety officials and organizers had to thin the crowd considerably before the seven candidates for state senate in the Third Middlesex District could weigh in on the issues during an Aug. 15 candidates forum in Concord.

It’s probably been a little while now since the turnout for a candidates’ forum in the Third Middlesex District was a part of the story, but that changed this year. After the announcement in February that state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, would not seek a ninth term, a handful of new Democratic candidates emerged to join those who had already announced their intentions to run. Concord Democrats Joe Kearns Goodwin and Mara Dolan, along with Alex Buck of Chelmsford and Joe Mullin from Weston, threw their hats in the race, joining Republicans Greg Howes of Concord and Sandi Martinez of Chelmsford, and Mike Barrett, a Lexington Democrat, all of whom had declared candidicay before Fargo revealed her retirement plans. The excitement around this…

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What's Happening

Five Things You Need to Know: Aug. 15

See what is happening today in Waltham.

A new spinoff of a Waltham restaurant is now open in Newton. The city is seeking vendors for Waltham Day! Today's weather forecast -- 82 degrees and thunderstorms. The Concord League of Women Voters will host a candidates' night for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate race at 7:30 p.m. at 1276 Main St. in Concord. Help Waltham Patch get to 750 'likes' by the end of the year.

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LETTER: Mara Dolan, Committed to Education

The following is a letter to the editor in support of Mara Dolan, a candidate for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate seat,

The following is a letter to the editor:  Mara Dolan is the best candidate running for the Massachusetts State Senate, 3rd Middlesex District.  She is bright and decisive and she is my daughter.  Mara is as inspired and indefatigable about helping others as she is about herself. She has served as public defender for nine years using her experience in social work as well as the law to return young people and their families, as often as possible,  to stability and community life.  She knows how important work and education are to productivity and social order. As a teen, Mara learned the "Wright" system for keyboarding and was Mona Wright's first assistant in teaching high school students in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to master touch …

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Educate a Candidate for Waltham State Senator

Mike Barrett is running for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate seat.

Mike Barrett, a Democratic candidate for the 3rd Middlesex State Senaate seat, will hold an "Educate the Candidate" event in Waltham on Aug. 4, acording to this campaign.  Residents will have the chance to meet with Barrett to discuss issues they are concerned about. The meetings will be held outside the Hannaford grocery store on Main Street, according to the campaign. 

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