Arlington’s Thielman to Make Run for Marzilli’s Seat

Arlington School Committee member Jeff Thielman speaks at an Arlington Democratic Town Committee event last year. Courtesy photo.

- Allison Goldsberry

The race is on for the Twenty-third Middlesex House seat just one day after State Representative Jim Marzilli won a spot in the state senate.

Arlington School Committee member Jeff Thielman has officially thrown his hat into the ring for Marzilli’s soon-to-be vacant seat, with a primary election planned for the seat on the same day voters head to the polls for the presidential primary- February 5, 2008. The general election for the seat is scheduled for March 4.

“My experience serving on the Arlington School Committee over the past 5 years has made me keenly aware of the need for strong relationships between the state and local government, and my understanding of these issues will be critical to representing you in the legislature,” Thielman wrote in a public statement.

The house district, represented by Marzilli for seventeen years, includes much of Arlington and part of West Medford, including all of Ward 6 and precinct 2 of Ward 3, Medford’s largest precinct.

Whether he wins or loses, Thielman said he would still continue to serve as a School Committee member until his term expires in April 2009.

Thielman is currently the Vice Chair of the Arlington Democratic Town Committee and served as School Committee Chair from 2005 to 2006, where he was part of a successful Proposition 2 1/2 override campaign, according to his website.

He is an educational professional and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation.

Thielman recently raised some eyebrows in Arlington when he revealed himself as the source of controversial emails between a principal and teacher to the local media. The email scandal eventually led to the firing of that principal and teacher.