For Vanna Howard, better late than never?

A FEW of the region’s highest-profile elected Democrats turned out last week for Vanna Howard, the presumed next state representative from the 17 th Middlesex District, in an endorsement that was not only too late, but meaningless.

“Vanna Howard has a long history of public service to the people of the Merrimack Valley. She will be a tenacious advocate for our constituents on Beacon Hill. I’m proud to support Vanna alongside members of our state delegation for Representative of the 17 th Middlesex District,” said 3rd District U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan.

Said state Sen. Ed Kennedy: “Vanna will bring decades of personal and professional experience to Beacon Hill. She has been helping people her entire career, has deep connections to individuals and organizations throughout the region, and has a strong knowledge of what policies need to be supported and changed in order to improve the lives and futures of all of the people of the 17 th Middlesex District. I am proud to support her candidacy and look forward to working with her in January.”

“Vanna has served our community for years and will only continue to be a staunch advocate for our families. Her joining of the Lowell Delegation will increase our strength, unity, and diverse views as we continue to bring solutions to our city. I look forward to having Vanna Howard join us in the new legislative session,” added the dean of the delegation, state Rep. Thomas Golden.

Of course, Howard was gracious: “I want to thank Congresswoman Trahan, Senator Kennedy, and Representative Golden for their support today. We all know how important coordination between our federal, state, and municipal representatives is and I look forward to working closely with them very soon! At a time when division is the rule of the day and unity is in short supply, I am es