MA-3: First Official Dem Candidate

Ever since Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell) announced that she will retire when the current Congress concludes, many Democrats have filed exploratory committees, began seeking endorsements, and talked about running, but none have made the final declaration…until this week.  On Wednesday, businessman Abhijit Das, CEO of Troca Hotels, announced that he will officially enter the Democratic primary.  Likely to do so are Dan Koh, former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, state Sen. Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover), Cambridge City Councilman Nadeem Mazen, and former congressional aide Lori Trahan.  For the Republicans, only business owner Rick Green has come forward to announce his candidacy. 
 
Democrats are favored to hold the seat, but the race could become competitive since Republican Gov. Charlie Baker will be stirring up GOP turnout in this central/east Massachusetts district, an area that must come through for him in a major way if he is to win re-election as expected.

--Jim Ellis