U.S. Senate, county nominations up for grabs
By Steve Myrick
Published: September 11, 2008
A contested U.S. Senate primary and an intriguing contest for county commissioner are among other races attracting attention on the primary ballots.
Incumbent senator John Kerry faces a challenge from newcomer Edward O'Reilly in the Democratic primary. Jeffrey Beatty of Harwich is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
Two incumbents and a familiar challenger are seeking three seats up for grabs in the Democratic nomination for county commissioner, a race with an interesting twist. Leonard Jason, Jr. of Chilmark and John Alley of West Tisbury are seeking re-election. Also seeking a seat on the commission is Linda Sibley of West Tisbury. The county charter allows only two members from any one town. Since commission chairman Leslie Leland, who is not up for election, is from West Tisbury, that sets up, in essence, a head-to-head race between Mr. Alley and Ms. Sibley, both residents of West Tisbury. Whichever candidate receives the least votes will be eliminated because of the balanced residency requirement. That would leave open the possibility that a write-in candidate could win the third seat with only a handful of votes in the general election.
In the only other contested race, Oliver Cipollini, Jr. of Barnstable is challenging Carole Fiola of Fall River, the incumbent, for a seat on the governor's council.
Incumbent congressman William Delahunt is running unopposed for the 10th district congressional seat. Also running for re-election unopposed is state senator Robert O'Leary.
On the Republican ballot, Elizabeth Herrmann is running unopposed for re-election as Dukes County register of probate.
