3RD DEGREE TIFF MAY BURN DEMS
An acrid stalemate between Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidates Lori L. Trahan and Daniel A. Koh could dangerously undercut the Democratic nominee’s momentum, giving GOP candidate Rick Green an advantage in the 62-day general election sprint, said political insiders.
“Greater Lowell and Essex County all have really supportive spots for a Republicans. A Republican could do very well up here,” said former state Sen. Steven Panagiotakos, who didn’t endorse in the Democratic primary.
The impending general election added another level of tension following a bleary-eyed primary night with no clear winner. The eventual nominee will face Green, a Pepperell Republican.
Trahan declared victory at a Lowell press conference yesterday with a scant 52-vote lead, while Koh’s campaign indicated he might seek a recount.
“We cannot afford to waste a single day,” urged Trahan, who clearly wanted to avoid a lengthy recount process. Koh supporters brushed off those concerns as scare tactics, however.
“This is a pretty solid Democratic district, and you only have this opportunity once in your life,” said Robert Durand, a former Marlboro state senator who endorsed Koh. “The recount would take until the end of September, tops. Then you have all of October for the general.”
Gleeful Republicans, however, suggested the conflict could have national ramifications.
“I think Rick Green is going to win this. I don’t believe in any ‘blue wave,’ ” said Lowell Republican Committee Chairman Cliff Krieger, referring to a liberal-touted midterm Democratic takeover in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Green will still face an uphill battle in several communities, such as Concord and Carlisle, but the rare open seat left by U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas gives Republicans a greater chance of capture.
Koh and Trahan emerged from a crowd of 10 Democratic candidates, while Green and independent Mike Mullen automatically advanced to the Nov. 6 general.
The too-close-to-call race served up plenty of primary night stunners, including State Rep. Juana Matias’ unexpected third-place finish with more than 70 percent of the vote in Lawrence.
Meanwhile, consultants credited Trahan’s last-minute megabucks ad buy and an avalanche of newspaper endorsements for her late-breaking surge.
“The last two weeks she had all the momentum. No one else had momentum like she did,” said Panagiotakos. “Dan Koh was always the leader, but the question was how could he grow from there?”
Koh, the former chief of staff for Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, burst into the race last year and spent big on media to boost his name recognition, earning a strong lead that he maintained until Primary Day. Koh has until tomorrow to decide whether he will officially contest the results.
“I’m urging him to ask for the recount,” said Durand. “We were active for the better part of a year up here. I’m cautiously optimistic we can pull it out.”