Candidates lining up for likely special election

One week has passed since former Senator Anthony Galluccio was sent to prison and resigned his senate seat after failing to comply with the stipulations of his probation.

With State Senate President Therese Murray apparently on the verge of announcing a special election to fill Galluccio’s empty senate seat, a number of candidates have appeared.

Cambridge Attorney Tim Flaherty, a former Norfolk County district attorney, has officially announced his candidacy. Also officially in the race is Chelsea real estate broker Michael Albano.

Everett city councilor Sal DiDomenico, Galluccio’s former chief of staff, is also considering a run but has yet to announce officially.

A Charlestown attorney, Dan Hill, had been an announced candidate for a few months prior to Galluccio’s resignation.

In addition, there is a Cambridge candidate, six-term city councillor Marjorie Decker.

According to State Senator Anthony Petruccelli, the senate president is apparently mulling a special election, which if called, would include a primary at the end of April and an election final sometime in May.

Murray has until January 20 to set a date for a special election. She is expected to make an official announcement about a special election sometime next week.

Flaherty ran against Galluccio last time around gaining name recognition throughout the sprawling district which includes Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Chelsea, a small part of Revere, Charlestown and Saugus.

Cambridge and Everett are major voter strong holds which Galluccio carried nicely in the last election.

DiDomenico said he believes he can carry Everett making him an immediate candidate to watch in this unfolding political race.

“I believe I will have the support of the entire Everett city council,” he told the Chelsea Record. In addition, DiDomenico’s family has owned a flour business in Cambridge for decades.

Flaherty has already formed a campaign organization with an operational public relations arm.

In a press release distributed earlier this week, Flaherty announced the endorsement of former Chelsea city councilor Paul Nowicki.

Nowicki, who ran against Flaherty in the special election for the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex seat, told the Chelsea Record that during that race he gained added respect for Flaherty.

“He’s a person of tremendous integrity and the best person for the job,” Nowicki said.

Galluccio’s demise finds no lack of candidates for his seat.

Albano, a real estate broker from a Somerville political family – his father was a state senator – is planning a full-fledged campaign.

“I am totally committed to this effort,” he said.

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