Massachusetts legislators will not allow additional time for candidates to file nomination papers to run for the State Senate seat vacated by Stan Rosenberg.
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz lobbied unsuccessfully for special legislation to extend the filing deadline so more candidates could compete for Rosenberg’s seat.
Narkewicz argues voters deserve a “full and robust debate” about who should replace a 27-year incumbent.
" Those were my concerns at the time and I still have them, but at this point there is no recourse, so we have to move forward and go with the process that is in place right now," said Narkewicz Monday.
He said he spoke by telephone Sunday with State Senate President Harriette Chandler ( D-Worcester) who told him she would not support special legislation to change the May 1st candidate filing deadline which is written into state election law.
The abrupt resignation of the Amherst Democrat and former Senate President after an ethics investigation report that was released on May 2 left only one candidate, political newcomer Chelsea Kline, on the Democratic primary ballot.
