Doug Thompson, a candidate running to serve as the state’s 8th Essex District representative, began a marathon door-knocking campaign tour of Marblehead, Swampscott, and Lynn yesterday that will last through Labor Day weekend.
Thompson and five other candidates — Jenny Armini, Diann Slavit Baylis, Tristan Smith, Terri Tauro, and Polly Titcomb — are running to represent the district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Voters will effectively determine the result of the 8th Essex District race in the Massachusetts primary election next Tuesday, Sept. 6 as all six candidates are running as Democrats. The elected winner will replace former Rep. Lori Ehrlich, who is not seeking reelection.
Thompson, a former health care executive, advocate, and expert will hit every street in the 8th Essex District, according to his campaign manager Naomi Dreeben.
“I have walked the 8th Essex District over the past 5 months knocking on the doors of over 6,000 homes,” Thompson said in a statement. “I have learned so much from people I’ve met in Marblehead, Swampscott, and Lynn. Now, I’m looking forward to my campaign coming back to every street in the district. We’re sharing my message to keep the North Shore forward.”
Dreeben said Thompson is working 12-hour days, knocking on doors beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. this weekend to learn which issues have voters most concerned.
Dreeben said voters that the Thompson campaign has interacted with in Lynn are mainly concerned about pollution at King’s Beach. She added that all voters, however, seemed to be concerned about housing, affordability, and climate change.
“I think doorknocking is like Doug’s favorite thing to do,” Dreeben said. “People have been really receptive. He just loves being able to connect with voters directly and learning about what matters to them.”
Dreeben said the main mission of the door-knocking campaign is for Thompson to connect with voters on a personal level.
“Everybody gets a bunch of fliers from every campaign,” Dreeben said. “It’s really different to meet someone on their doorstep and have a personal interaction with them… That’s why it’s been done so much. It’s the very best. There is nothing better than having an in-person conversation.”
Rachel Barber can be reached at [email protected].
