Ewell Hopkins of Oak Bluffs announces candidacy for state rep

Mr. Hopkins will challenge long time rep Tim Madden of Nantucket.

0
Photo by Michael Cummo

Oak Bluffs resident and planning board member Ewell Hopkins announced Monday that he will run as a Democrat for the seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives currently occupied by incumbent Tim Madden, a Democrat from Nantucket.

The district encompasses Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and four Falmouth precincts that include the village of Woods Hole. Mr. Madden was first elected in 2008 following the retirement of longtime Rep. Eric Turkington, a Democrat from Falmouth who occupied the seat for 20 years.

Mr. Madden was the first island resident to be elected to the state legislature since Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket lost their seats in redistricting almost 40 years ago.

Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Madden will square off in the state primary on Sept. 8, 2016. The general election is Nov. 8.

“I believe in public service and believe in the system,” Mr. Hopkins told The Times. “This district deserves a representative that is principally focused on service to others. At the end of the day, what matters is what the people say. I believe in availability. I think that approach in public service is dearly lacking.”