FRAMINGHAM — One of Framingham's legislators is being challenged in the upcoming state primary for his seat.
Jack Patrick Lewis, D-Framingham , has represented the state's Seventh Middlesex District since 2017 and is seeking another term. He is being challenged by fellow Democrat Carlton Phelps , an Ashland resident. The district covers all of Ashland and in Framingham precincts 9, 11A, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Lewis and Phelps will square off in the Sept. 3 Democratic Party Primary to see who will represent the Seventh Middlesex District for two years. No Republican is running for the seat in the primary or general election in November, according to the candidate list from the Secretary of State's Office.
The other three Framingham's state representatives, Kate Donaghue, D-Westborough ; Danielle Gregoire, D-Marlborough ; and Priscilla Sousa, D-Framingham are all running unopposed in the state primary.
Why is Jack Lewis running for state representative
Lewis, who seeking a fifth term in the statehouse, told the Daily News he wants to continue representing his community on Beacon Hill.
"As your state rep., we have protected reproductive rights and health care, accelerated our transition to renewable energy, increased public education funding, supported our communities' seniors, expanded gun safety laws and delivered on local projects, ranging from new schools to the clean-up of contaminated sites. We have accomplished a lot but the work remains," Lewis wrote in an email.
More from Rep. Lewis: Jack Patrick Lewis seeks fifth term. Why he's running to represent Ashland, Framingham
Lewis said, if re-elected, he will continue to take the lead on legislation relating to youth health and wellness, public health prevention services, expanded programs and support for people with disabilities and accelerating the state's transition to renewable energy.
Lewis was reelected in 2018, 2020 and 2022, running unopposed each time.
He chairs the House Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight , and also sits on the Joint Committee of Healthcare Financing . Lewis has seen his family grow since he was first elected in 2016, and that influence has further committed him to causes such as securing additional Chapter 70 education funding for public school students.
Why is Carlton Phelps of Ashland running for state rep
Phelps said he's running to continue the state's legacy of civil rights, in his email response to the Daily News.
"We know our rights are not guaranteed in this country, so it takes strong leadership with new ideas and metric-driven solutions to keep us moving forward as a community in Framingham and Ashland," Phelps said.
Phelps, like Natick Democrat representative hopeful Jaymin Patel , wants to address the state's lack of affordability. He calls for increased state incentives to encourage strategic development of affordable housing.
More: Carlton Phelps to challenge Jack Patrick Lewis. Why he is running for the state house
In addition, Phelps wants to achieve more progress on how the state measures success throughout a student's career. "We can retain the MCAS but need flexibility to ensure that it is an effective measurement of progress for all students," Phelps said.
Lastly, Phelps wants to fix the T. He said that he wants to ensure the MBTA's Commuter Rail services are a reliable commuting option for MetroWest residents.
When and where you can vote early in Framingham for the 2024 Massachusetts state primary
Early voting will begin this weekend, starting on Saturday at two locations.
The Memorial Building , located at 150 Concord Street, will be open for in-person early voting:
- Saturday, Aug. 24: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 25: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 26: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 27: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 28: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday. Aug. 29: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 30: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In addition to the Memorial Building, in-person early voting will be available at the McAuliffe Library, located at 746 Water St.:
- Monday, Aug. 26: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 28: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Thursday. Aug. 29: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 30: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
When and where you can vote on primary day in Framingham
On Sept. 3, the day of the Primary, voting will be done by precinct from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- Precincts 1, 2, 3: Harmony Grove Elementary School gymnasium, 169 Leland St.
- Precincts 4, 5, 6: St. Tarcisius Parish Center, 562 Waverly S.
- Precincts 7, 8, 9: Keefe Technical High School gymnasium, 750 Winter St.
- Precincts 10, 11, 15: Farley Building gymnasium, 19 Flagg Drive
- Precincts 12, 13, 14: Memorial Building, 150 Concord St.
- Precincts 16 and 17: Connect Parish Center, 80 Beacon St. (entrance in the back of the building)
- Precincts 18, 25, 26: Walsh Middle School gymnasium, 301 Brook St.
- Precincts 19, 20, 21: Brophy Elementary School gymnasium, 575 Pleasant St.
- Precincts 22 and 27: George King School Desmarais Room, 454 Water St.
- Precincts 23 and 24: Potter Road School gymnasium: 492 Potter Road
When and where you can vote early in Ashland
Early voting for the state primary will be held on the ground floor of Ashland's Town Hall, 101 Main Street:
- Saturday, Aug. 24: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 26: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 27: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 28: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 29: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 30: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
When and where you can vote on primary day in Ashland
Voting in person on Sept. 3 will be held at Ashland High School's gymnasium at 65 E. Union St. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham, Ashland state rep. faces Democratic party primary challenger: Meet the candidates
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