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Ten of the 12 candidates running for state offices and appearing in the primary have agreed to participate in the League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover pre-primary Candidates' Forum on Monday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main St., Andover.
Republicans James J. Lyons, Jr. and John O. Thorlin are running for the 18th Essex District State Representative seat, which covers parts of Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Methuen, North Andover and Haverhill. Incumbent, Rep. Barbara L'Italien does not have a Democratic challenger in the State Primary and will not attend the forum.
Republicans Paul Adams and Salim R. Tabit, and Democrats Patricia Commane and Frank J. Bonet are running for the 17th Essex District State Representative seat which covers parts of Andover, Lawrence, and Tewksbury.
Frank Bonet has not yet responded to the League's invitation.
Republicans Patrick Rahilly and Jamison Tomasek, and Democrats Barry Finegold, Debbie Silberstein and John J. "Jack" Wilson Jr. will attend the forum. They are vying for the 2nd Essex and Middlesex District Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Sue Tucker. The district covers Andover and parts of Lawrence, Dracut and Tewksbury.
The forum will feature a segment for each legislative contest, with the candidates seated by party and answering questions submitted by the audience. Jo-Ann Berry of the LWV of Acton Area, will moderate the event.
The forum will air live on Andover cable channels 8 and 47 and be taped for rebroadcast during the two weeks before the Sept. 14 State Primary election. The program will also be shared with local cable stations in surrounding communities. A group of Andover High School students will volunteer at the event, which is free and open to the public.
The last day to register to vote and to change party enrollment for the State Primary was yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 25. For more information, email voterServiceAndover@lwv-andovers.org.
