The Meehan Rumor

Published Feb 05 2007, 07:48 PM by David S. Bernstein

So, if -- and it's still a big if -- if Marty Meehan really does leave Congress for UMass Lowell, who wins that seat?

I think that over time we would end up with one Lowell-area candidate, one Lawrence/Andover/Haverhill candidate, and one northern-Middlesex candidate.

If Niki Tsongas really runs, she becomes the de facto Lowell candidate I think, dooming the candidacies of several strong contenders like Eileen Donoghue.

Steve Baddour, sitting on a quarter-million dollars in his campaign kitty, is my pick to emerge in the north from among a host of others.

The wild card is the southern section of the district. Names being thrown around include state reps Cory Atkins, James Eldridge, and Richard Howe. But I'll throw out a name I haven't seen yet: state senator Pamela Resor of Acton.

I think that if Resor gets her ducks in a row early (and gets Atkins, Eldridge et al out of the race), she could benefit from split votes among Lowell- and Lawrence-area candidates, and emerge on top. Keep your eye on her!