* In her first two years in office, State Senator SONIA CHANG-DIAZ has proven herself as a smart, savvy operator, and a hard-working advocate for her district. She has even stood up to her party leadership -- on casinos, for instance, which she adamantly opposed despite the Senate president’s strong support. Challenger Hassan Williams seems impressive, but Chang-Diaz is off to too strong a start to cut short her Senate career.
* Earlier this year, voters in portions of Boston and several neighboring communities chose Sal DiDomenico in the special election to replace Anthony Galluccio. DiDomenico has shown himself to be a fine state senator; however, we continue to believe, as we did before, that TIM FLAHERTY would do better. Flaherty has the drive to help force real change in the Senate.
* In state representative races, former Jack Hart aide NICK COLLINS has the experience and knowledge to stand apart from a crowded field to replace Brian Wallace; CARLOS HENRIQUEZ, board president of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, is likewise the cream of the crop hoping to succeed Marie St. Fleur; and KAREN PAYNE, president of the Boston NAACP, would be a tremendous advocate for the city’s diverse needs and should get the nod to replace Willie Mae Allen. All three candidates would bring much-needed new energy to Boston’s delegation.
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