Two 20-something candidates for open seat know firsthand why young people leave
State Rep. Tram Nguyen has lots of company in her bid to become the next member of Congress from the 6th District, with five other Democrats and a Republican in the race.
The contest to fill the seat she’s leaving behind on Beacon Hill is lonelier.
"That's been the biggest surprise for me," Andover Democrat Connor Murray said. "I expected a five-way primary, a Democratic primary, and more than one Republican."
But that’s not how it shook out. Murray’s is the only name on the ballot in Tuesday’s primaries for the seat that represents Boxford and parts of Andover, North Andover and Tewksbury. Another candidate, Andover Republican Chris Shepley, is running a write-in campaign, hoping to earn the 150 votes needed to become his party’s nominee in the November general.
Whatever happens in September and November, the 18th Essex District could end up sending the State House a new youngest lawmaker: Shepley is 21 and Murray 23. (Lowell Rep. Tara Hong, elected two years ago at age 24, is currently the youngest state legislator).
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