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3rd Suffolk

It's State Representative Aaron Michlewitz now

Aaron Michlewitz easily won election today to the state rep's seat vacated by Sal DiMasi, according to city returns.

Hey, did you know there's an election in parts of Boston on Tuesday?

Funny but true: Aaron Michlewitz didn't actually get elected state rep from the North End and the South End last month. He only won the Democratic primary, even though the local press seems to think he's already serving, at least based on the amount of coverage they're not giving the race.

The election to determine who actually replaces Sal DiMasi is this Tuesday, when Michlewitz faces independent John Keith and Republican David Trumbull. What are the odds turnout won't even break four figures?

Michlewitz wins Democratic race in 3rd Suffolk

Aaron Michlewitz won the Democratic primary today to replace Sal DiMasi, according to city election results.

Michlewitz got 2,116, compared to 1,945 for Susan Passoni, 103 for Lucy Rivera and 44 for Brian Ross. He will now face Republican David Trumbull and independent John Keith in a special election next month.

Today's very special primary

Today's the special Democratic primary to see who runs in the special election to replace Sal DiMasi in the 3rd Suffolk district.

Susan Passoni, Aaron Michlewitz, Brian Ross and Lucy Rivera face off on the Democratic side. Whoever wins will face independent John Keith and Republican David Trumbull on June 16.

Free from any primary responsibilities, and noting the battle between the North End's Michlewitz and the South End's Passoni, Keith recounts another North End/South End battle, back in the 1700s, when Protestant groups in the two neighborhoods would hold annual Pope's Day riots to see who could most show their hatred for Catholics. Fortunately, the social climate in Boston seems to have improved a bit since then.

Fallout from the debate where one candidate may have gotten the questions in advance

Josh Dawson is a member of the Ward 5 Democratic Committee (Back Bay, Beacon Hill and Bay Village). And he's a bit perturbed over the way 3rd Suffolk state-rep hopeful Aaron Michlewitz may have gotten questions from a Ward 5/Ward 4 debate in advance:

... It's disappointing that our Committee's reputation could be tarnished for a short time because of this mess. As a member of the Executive Committee, I will push to have a meeting as soon as possible to discuss this situation and fix any problems with the forum/endorsement process, so we can get back to doing the things that make our Committee great ...

He also says that despite what ward Chairman Rob Whitney seemed to tell the Phoenix, neither he nor at least three other members got the questions in advance.

Passoni: For or against casinos?

Yes, the South End News reports.

Was 3rd Suffolk candidate fed debate questions in advance?

The South End News reports on some e-mail between state Rep. Marty Walz and 3rd Suffolk candidate Aaron Michlewitz before an April 21 debate. Michlewitz told the paper he wouldn't say whether he received questions in advance but that the real issue is somebody is violating his and Walz's privacy.

Aaron Michlewitz knows how to raise money

Latest campaign reports show he's raised $115,000 so far in his race to replace his old boss, Sal DiMasi. Next in line: Susan Passoni, with $51,000.

If you want to see where the candidates are getting their money (and how they're spending it), click on PP next to their names on the link above.

Oh, that Aaron, he has such a punim!

Bay Windows reports some 3rd Suffolk gays are crushing on Aaron Michlewitz as he runs to replace his former boss, Sal DiMasi:

... But despite the long list attributes that Goldman admires in the candidate, he couldn't resist returning to Michlewitz's pretty face when he introduced him to the crowd about 40, which included gay and straight supporters, later in the evening. ...

Meanwhile, independent 3rd Suffolk candidate John Keith has some fans among the architectural set. This ArchBoston post imagines a Boston under a Mayor John Keith (you listening, Mr. Menino?):

... A bright newcomer named John A. Keith came out of nowhere to defeat Menino. Keith fired the entire BRA, then personally selected a small brain-trust of like-minded free-thinkers --free, that is, from the stifling effects of unexamined book knowledge and academic norms. When they talked, these folks sounded much like some members of ArchBoston.

They went to work to fix Downtown. ...

Candidate withdraws from 3rd Suffolk race

Scratch Ryan Higginson, Blue Mass. Group reports.

That leaves Susan Passoni, Aaron Michlewitz, Brian Ross and Lucy Rivera on the Democratic side. Whoever wins the May 19 primary will then face Republican David Trumbull and independent John Keith in the June 16 special election.