Court Denies Rep. Sciortino’s Appeal to Get on Ballot

Medford Rep Will Launch Write-in Campaign for Third Term

– Allison Goldsberry

State Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Medford) will be forced to wage a write-in campaign for his third term following the denial of his appeal to get on the ballot.

Rep. Sciortino filed an appeal with Suffolk Superior Court to get on the ballot after he said his nomination papers were stolen.

Rep. Sciortino says official records show that he had a total of 186 signatures certified by Medford and Somerville in advance of the April 29 deadline. This is 36 in excess of the 150 needed to qualify for the ballot.

Rep. Sciortino said his nomination papers were stolen during the twenty-eight day window before signatures and other documents need to be filed with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Despite the setback, Rep. Sciortino said he is eager to campaign on “issues of importance” to the community.

“Four years ago, I ran a strong grassroots campaign by going door-to-door to talk to members of the community about their concerns. I now have four years of accomplishments to share with them, and I will be asking for their support based on my record,” said Rep. Sciortino.

Rep. Sciortino, running for his third term, faces competition from Somerville Alderman Bob Trane. Both men are running as Democrats and the Democratic Primary is scheduled for September 16.

Trane recently released a statement about Rep. Sciortino’s attempt to get on the ballot after he said Rep. Sciortino challenged Trane’s certified signatures.

“Rep. Sciortino, after having his hysterical claim of a Watergate-style theft of his nomination signatures repudiated by three separate independent Judges, now seeks a desperate attempt to cripple my candidacy by challenging my certified signatures. One wonders what ploy Rep. Sciortino will attempt next after my signatures are found to have been lawfully secured and submitted?” Said Trane.

Rep. Sciortino said he had nothing to do with the challenge of Trane’s signatures and that his record speaks for itself.

“Somerville Alderman Trane’s statement speaks for itself, and so does my record of accomplishments. I am not a party to the challenge of his signatures and I have no intention of joining it. My campaign is moving forward on the issues of importance to the community,” said Rep. Sciortino.

In other State House campaign news, State Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), is holding a campaign event with Attorney General Martha Coakley on Wednesday, June 11. The “Evening to Celebrate Women” is taking place at the Somerville Museum with Coakley, a Medford resident and the state’s first female attorney general, as the guest speaker.