.jpg?w=620)
The feverish battle for a rare open Massachusetts congressional seat kicked off this morning within moments of the surprise announcement by veteran Congresswoman Niki Tsongas that she will not seek re-election in 2018.
Big names already being floated include Daniel Koh, chief of staff for Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and Salvatore Lupoli, founder of Sal's Pizza — with many more expected to jump into the race.
“I have learned in life that there is a time for endings and for new beginnings," Tsongas said in a statement this morning noting she will finish out her term. "After much thought, I have decided that this is one of those times. The time feels right most especially because of my desire to spend more time enjoying and celebrating my wonderful and growing family."
Other potential contenders to fill Tsongas' 3rd District included state Sen. Barbara L'Italien, an Andover Democrat who won her seat in 2015. She said she's "eagerly exploring" a run to replace Tsongas, whom she introduced just last night at a National Conference of State Legislatures networking event.
"As Niki said last night: Women need to run!" L'Italien said. "There is no better way to effect that motto than by ensuring that Niki is succeeded by another woman from the Merrimack Valley."
State Sen. Eileen Donoghue, a Lowell Democrat, said she's received "dozens of phone calls" urging her to take a look at the seat, though she cautioned that she's still trying to digest the news.
"It really is too soon to say, I certainly have not made a decision," Donoghue said. "I know the district, even though it's changed. But we'll see. Being in the Senate and being part of Senate leadership has also been tremendous. I absolutely love what I do."
Donoghue said she was "stunned" by Tsongas' mid-morning announcement, saying she got no indication that Tsongas was considering not running again.
Donoghue ran in the 2007 Democratic primary for the Congressional seat, losing to Tsongas, and now has a seat in state Senate leadership as the chamber's steering and policy chair.
Lancaster Democrat Steve Kerrigan, who ran in 2014 for lieutenant governor and recently vied for the state party chairmanship, is not ruling out a run.
"I think a lot people are going to have a lot of conversations with their families and friends the next few days," Kerrigan said today, as he praised Tsongas' work in Congress, calling her a friend. "I think decisions will get made over the next few weeks. I look forward to seeing what comes of that."
The field includes numerous other potential contenders.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat, ran for the Congressional seat in the 2007 primary, as did former state Sen. Barry Finegold, who last ran for office in 2014 during an unsuccessful bid for state treasurer.
Dan Koh, chief of staff for Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, is a native of Andover, which is in the district.
Tsongas' announcement, coming as Democrats gird for a pitched national battle to regain the majority in the House in 2018, startled her Congressional colleagues.
“She’s been an extraordinary public servant,” said fellow Bay State Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III, who told Herald Radio this morning he was “caught off guard” by the news. “Her family has given a lot to our commonwealth and our country, She’s been an extraordinary champion for her district and a huge voice for on the Armed Services Committee.”
“Had Niki decided to run again, she certainly would have won,” Kennedy added, saying he did not have any potential candidates in mind to replace the Lowell Democrat. “I consider her a mentor and and an ally and I do wish her well.”
Tsongas, widow of the late senator and presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, said in her statement she had been motivated to run "by a lifelong commitment to public service and a desire to change people’s lives for the better."
She also noted her status in 2007 as the first woman to be elected to Massachusetts in Congress in 25 years.
"Women can’t win if women don’t run," she wrote "Since that door cracked open, the Commonwealth has elected another female member of Congress, our first female US Senator, and in my district, 50% of our state legislators are now women, paving the way for even more women from our state to serve in political office bringing their voices to all we value as a country."
Former congressman and current UMass President Marty Meehan today paid tribute to Tsongas' service and reliably liberal voting record.
“Niki Tsongas has served with dignity, integrity and an unwavering commitment to her constituents and to issues affecting all Americans," he said in a statement. "Her dedication to expanding access to affordable healthcare, supporting the growth of small businesses and emerging industries, and advocating on behalf of women in the military – and for women’s rights in general – will leave a lasting legacy. She has also worked to address many of today’s most important issues, such as climate change, LGBTQ rights and immigration reform. Above all, she has been a champion for her district and for the Commonwealth. Congresswoman Tsongas and her late husband, Paul, who would be so proud of what she has accomplished, have given so much to improve the lives of those they served. I thank her for that and wish her all the best as she completes her term and moves onto her next phase.”
Tsongas too paid tribute to her late husband.
“It has been my heartfelt honor to serve the people of this district over the past ten years and I have been guided all along by an extraordinary role model in my late husband Paul," she wrote in her statement. "I am so grateful to those who have been there since day one, and to the many great Americans who I have met along the way, all of whom have served as my inspiration and support."
Chris Villani contributed to this report.
