FDTC Members Vote Against Holding Caucus for 6th Middlesex

At the May 20, 2018 business meeting of the Framingham DTC members debated the question on whether or not to hold a caucus to nominate a candidate for the 6th Middlesex House seat.  The seat became vacant after the passing of State Representative Chris Walsh.  Prior to his passing the late Representative had already submitted his signature papers and would have been on the primary ballot unopposed.  With his passing it leaves the Democratic ballot with no candidate for the 6th Middlesex House seat.

The Framingham DTC members had the option to hold a caucus where 18 delegates (elected by the Framingham DTC membership) would then elect a nominee who would appear on the ballot for September.  This candidate could still face challenges from write-in candidates.  Presentations made by Mass Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford and Michelle K. Tassinari, the Legal Counsel from the Secretary of State’s office suggested it would be preferable to avoid a caucus and allow the nomination process to be decided strictly through write-in candidates.  The membership overwhelmingly voted against holding a caucus.  As such the September primary ballot in the 6th Middlesex will have no Democratic candidate listed; the nominee will be decided by write-in candidates.