Campaign season kicks off in Lynn

LYNN – It is opening day, not for the Red Sox but for election season in Lynn.Monday was the first day for candidates who wish to run for local office to take out nomination papers and eight got out in front, but none earlier than Charlie Gallo, who is seeking a second term on the School Committee.”He was here at 8:30 this morning,” said City Clerk Mary Audley, who is also the head of the election department.Gallo said that was no mistake.”That was intentional,” he said. “I’m eager to ask voters to allow me to continue for a second term.”Gallo said he wanted to make a point by getting to City Hall early, that he is excited to continue his work on the committee.”I’ve been working hard ? and I’m very eager,” he said.School Committee member Donna Coppola stopped by later in the afternoon to also pull papers for what will be her eighth term on the committee.The race for councilor at large is also off to an early start, with former Councilor at large Paul Crowley pulling papers, along with Robert Clay Walsh, who is making his second attempt at gaining a seat at the council table, and newcomer Akaterina Panagiotakis.Crowley lost his seat in 2011 by only 27 votes to newcomer Hong Net. Walsh finished seventh in the same race.Panagiotakis along with Debra Plunkett, who pulled papers to run for Ward 1 councilor, mark the return of women to the council race. Not since Gina M. Grandberry lost to Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci in 2009 has the council seen a female contender on the ballot.Panagiotakis is also not the only newcomer to the political game. Jesse Jaeger and Seth Albaum also pulled papers for Ward 2 and Ward 5.Audley said the number of candidates who came out for opening day is not unusual. She said there are always a handful who come in the first day, typically the newbies, but the rest will trickle in and pull papers when they are ready.And they have plenty of time, she noted. The last day to take out nomination papers is Friday, June 28, and the last day to file them with the City Clerk’s office is July 1.”There might be someone who, at the end, will come in and grab papers just to ruffle feathers,” she said. “It’s kind of fun to sit back and watch.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].