Cambridge, Boston Vote Today To Fill State Senate Vacancy

Special elections for the Massachusetts legislature have a way of falling in the middle of the summer--like today's election in Boston and Cambridge to fill a vacant State Senate seat. Most students and well-to-do liberals are away from town on vacation, leaving the election to be decided by a few professional politicians.

Although today's contest is only a primary for the September 11 election, there are so few Republicans in the district that the winner of the Democratic nomination is virtually assured of election.

The seven Democratic and two Republican candidates have been campaigning hard during the past month. But voter interest in the election has been low, and experts predict a turnout of under 20 per cent.

The district is predominantly Italian and includes East Boston, the North and South Ends, Beacon Hill and Back Bay in Boston; the town of Winthrop; and East Cambridge, Kendall Square and Central Square in Cambridge.

Only Three Dems

Only three of the Democratic candidates, all from East Boston, have any shot at winning: State Representative George DiLorenzo, State Representative Emanuel "Gus" Serra, and Michael LoPresti Jr. '70. Other candidates include Filippa Pizzi of East Boston, Pasquale Buonopane of the North End, William P. Intraversato-Foley of the South End, and Michael Amato, the only candidate from Cambridge.

DiLorenzo, a hard-driving, loud-talking, self-styled populist, has been running on a platform of "fighting for the people," and is considered the front-runner. He made a name for himself in East Boston fighting expansion of East Boston and fighting urban renewal.

LoPresti, 24, is a novice in elective politics, but he has the most solid financial and political backing of the candidates.

Serra, a quiet, hardworking State Representative, has run a driving door-to-door campaign, but his lack of exposure may cost him votes.

The two Republican candidates are Ann Witherby, a New England Yankee from Beacon Hill, and Vincent Manganello from East Boston.