Two Andover residents are competing for an open state representative seat, with early voting starting Saturday, Oct. 17.
Democrat Connor Murray and Republican Chris Shepley want the 18th Essex District seat being vacated by state Rep. Tram Nguyen, who is preparing for a potential congressional run. The district covers most of Andover and parts of North Andover, Tewksbury and Boxford. It is one of three Merrimack Valley legislative races featuring first-time challengers, as the Eagle-Tribune reported Oct. 14.
18th Essex District: Murray vs. Shepley
Murray, an Andover native who attended Andover Public Schools, earned a degree in political science and criminal justice from Iona University, according to Andover News. His campaign platform highlights public education funding, healthcare affordability, environmental sustainability and constituent services. He interned with the Massachusetts House of Representatives and serves on the board of the Thomas Paine Historical Association.
Shepley, an Andover School Committee member, won the Republican nomination through a write-in campaign on Sept. 1, collecting 306 votes when he needed 150, according to Andover News. His name did not appear on the printed Republican ballot.
He has called for debates with Murray.
"Voters deserve to hear directly from both candidates about our records, our priorities, and our plans for the district," Shepley said in a campaign statement in September. His platform centers on tax relief and affordability, school accountability, public safety and local control, according to a letter of endorsement published by Andover News from Jeri Levasseur, the Republican State Committeewoman for Second Essex and Middlesex.
The race has drawn outside attention. The Boston Globe reported Sept. 21 that Sixth District congressional candidate Dan Koh's leadership PAC plans to support Murray and other state legislative Democrats in competitive districts.
Second Essex & Middlesex Senate: Finegold vs. Semesnyei
State Sen. Barry Finegold, an Andover Democrat, faces Republican Ted Semesnyei of Amesbury. Semesnyei's campaign released a statement Sept. 30 accusing Finegold of accepting donations from employees of Anthropic, a California-based artificial intelligence (AI) company, the Andover Townsman reported. Semesnyei argued that lawmakers negotiating AI regulations should not take money from AI company workers.
15th Essex District
The Eagle-Tribune also identified a third Merrimack Valley race in the 15th Essex District, where state Rep. Ryan Hamilton faces a challenger.
How to vote
Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 17, through Friday, Oct. 30. Polls open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who prefer mail-in ballots must apply by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to CBS News Boston. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6.
