Candidates collect signatures before Town Meeting
Lori Lennon at Jefferson Cutter House. / Photo by Sri Thumati of thumatipics.com
UPDATED, Feb. 12: Lori Lennon of Arlington has announced her candidacy for state representative for the 23rd Middlesex District, representing parts of Arlington and Medford.
Lennon, who is 36 years old and Democrat, is the director of communications for the College of Science at Northeastern University. She said in in a Feb. 8 newsletter — and in an email exchange with YourArlington — that she is ready to lead the district with a new voice and fresh perspective.
Asked about her background to represent the district and what she sees as its key issues, she responded: “I have parents who are well into retirement. I worry about the affordability of child care, rising home prices and rents, and plan to focus on bolstering the innovation and tech community in Massachusetts.
“I have great ideas for the community, and it’s going to take a lot of input from constituents to get to a point where we can begin implementing true change. I am a firm believer that diversity in thought leads to true innovation, which is why I aim to be a new voice that provides a fresh perspective to the district.”
A single mom, she has an 8-year-old daughter, who is enrolled in the public schools and is portrayed with her in a campaign email showing them walking at Whittemore Park, near the Jefferson Cutter House.
Representing the 23rd Middlesex since 2008 is Sean Garballey of Arlington. Last summer, Garballey lost a bid for a state Senate seat to Cindy Friedman of Arlington.
Her campaign email says that “as an active member of the community,” Lennon volunteers on Arlington’s Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee, the Superintendent’s Diversity Task Force, and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee in the College of Science at Northeastern.
“I will lend my voice and experiences to the issues that affect all of our families,” she said in a news release. “Whether it be grappling with affordable childcare, managing student loan debt, or working to make housing affordable for our young families and seniors, I will address these struggles head on. With your help, we will find creative and innovative solutions to the issues that matter to us most.”
To meet at Kickstand Saturday
Lennon says she wants to meet residents of the district and hear their concerns. She plans to be the host for her first meet-and-greet at Kickstand Cafe, set for Saturday, Feb. 17, from 2 to 3 p.m.
A 2004 graduate of Northeastern with a degree in journalism, became a full-time senior writer and communications coordinator at NU’s College of Science in 2011.
Before that, Lennon worked at WBZ-TV as a web producer and as a TV and Web producer for NECN.
While at Northeastern, she interned at NECN and what was then Mix98.5.
For more information, and for details about upcoming events, visit LennonforStateRep.com.
Rep. Garballey, in an email Feb. 9, wrote: “I congratulate Lori on her decision to run for public office. I look forward to the campaign ahead.”
Both Lennon, with her daughter, and Garballey were collecting signatures in front of Town Hall before the Feb. 12 Town Meeting.
The primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 4.
This news summary was published Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, and updated, with Garballey comment. The report was also updated Feb. 12.
