Kennedy opens campaign office

LYNN – The city might have felt a July heat wave on Sunday, but a group of Lynn residents were gearing up for November as Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy officially opened her re-election campaign headquarters on Chestnut Street.”It’s a mixture of people from my first campaign and new people; a lot of the core group is still here,” Kennedy said Sunday. “It’s a little bit of a reunion to see some of those people from my first campaign who I haven’t been able to see as much of as I would have liked because of the demands of the job.”Flanagan joined friends, family and volunteers to cut a hot-pink ribbon for her re-election campaign headquarters at 582 Chestnut St. on Sunday afternoon.Kennedy said campaign workers will staff the office Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to discuss issues with voters and, eventually, to disperse literature about the campaign. One can also call 781-599-JUDY (5839) to speak with the campaign.City Council President Timothy Phelan has announced that he will challenge Kennedy for mayor.Kennedy acknowledged that from now until November is a long time to maintain voters’ and volunteers’ high energy and attention.But volunteers said they were up to the task.”I’ve been waiting for this for four years,” said volunteer Warren Dixon.Yet Kennedy said this campaign will be different from her 2009 run.”As a challenger you say I would do this,” Kennedy said. “The incumbent is more of a defensive role; you’re asked why did you do what you did?”But perhaps most relevant for Sunday’s event, Kennedy said her campaign is a little more prepared this time around. She defeated longtime Mayor Edward J. “Chip” Clancy Jr., in 2009 as a write-in candidate.”If I can go through the rest of my life without a sticker campaign, that will be okay,” she joked.Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].