By Cary Shuman
Beacon Hill residents will head to the polls next Tuesday (April 12) to cast their ballots in the State Senate special election primary for the First Suffolk and Middlesex District.
Seven Democratic candidates, including Beacon Hill State Representative Jay Livingstone, are competing for the seat previously held by Anthony Petruccelli of East Boston, who stepped down to take a position in the private sector.
The other candidates in the race are Lydia Edwards, Diana Hwang, and Paul Rogers of East Boston, Dan Rizzo and Steve Morabito of Revere, and Joseph Boncore of Winthrop. There are no Republican candidates for the seat.
Livingstone has waged a strong campaign across the district. On Sunday, Livingston drew approximately 75 supporters to a breakfast at the Winthrop Arms Hotel and Restaurant. His wife, Julie, and their infant son, Henry, were in attendance.
Livingstone has been pleased by the response to his campaign in his current legislative district of Beacon Hill and Cambridge and throughout the senatorial district that includes Winthrop, Revere, East Boston, North End, and Chinatown.
“I’ve had a great response,” said Livingstone. “I’ve been door knocking and every time I go out there, my message resonates. We need to reform our criminal justice system. We need to give kids early education. We need to do equal pay for women and that is universal.”
Former state representative Paul C. Demakis, who attended Sunday’s event, endorsed Livingston’s candidacy.
“Jay is a smart, honest, hard-working representative who is very accessible and responsive to his constituents,” said Demakis. “He understands what the Legislature is all about and how it functions. He adapted very quickly and he is the best-equipped candidate to step in on Day 1 and do a great job for the district.”
The polling locations for the April 12 Democratic primary are as follows:
Precinct 1: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology: Voter Entrance is 41 Berkeley St. Vote in Auditorium.
Precinct 3: State House: Vote in Great Hall, Second Floor. Use Elevators No. 5 and 6. Voter Entrance is on Bowdoin Street through Ashburton Park, Door No. 16.
Precinct 4: West End Library, 151 Cambridge St. Vote in Community Room.
Precinct 5: Church of the Advent. Voter Entrance is 145 Mount Vernon St.. Vote in Library. HP Entrance Through 30 Brimmer St.
Precinct 11: Church of the Advent. Voter Entrance is 145 Mount Vernon St. Vote in Library. HP Entrance Through 30 Brimmer St.
(Please note that people who previously voted at Hill House will now cast their ballots at the Church of the Advent.)