Howard wins primary in 17th Middlesex race

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CHELMSFORD -- Vanna Howard of Lowell emerged victorious on Sept. 1 in a three-way Democratic primary race for the 17th Middlesex House seat -- defeating embattled incumbent David Nangle, and challenger Lisa Arnold, both also of Lowell.

The 17th Middlesex district includes Precinct 4 of Chelmsford, and part of Lowell.

Howard goes on to face a contest in the Nov. 3 general election with Republican candidate Martin Burke of Lowell, whom the City of Lowell Elections Commission confirmed is running a write-in campaign.

'We ran hard, ran smart'

Asked for her thoughts on the primary results, Howard said, "It was all hard work. We ran hard, we ran smart, and with integrity. I had the best, amazing volunteers, dedicated volunteers -- over 100-plus volunteers, many of whom were helping for the first time with a campaign. So, they were energized."

Howard said, "Voters wanted a change, a new face. They delivered it all last night for me." Howard said she and her supporters went door-to-door, which she said proved a challenge due to the coronavirus and the need for social distancing. "We made phone calls, standouts -- so, we did a lot. Social media played a big role as well."

If Howard wins  on Nov. 3, she anticpates more hard work. "My goal is to make sure we correct inequities in housing, education and childcare, especially right now, in the pandemic. We need to address those issues." Howard said she is pleased by Gov. Charlie Baker's extension of an eviction moratorium, and said she'd like to see it extended further.

Howard served in the offices of the Middlesex and Suffolk district attorneys for 13 years, and then served for 11 years as Greater Lowell regional director for U.S. Rep. Nikki Tsongas. Tsongas endorsed Howard, as did several community leaders in Lowell.

Currently, Howard serves as chief of external and government relations for the Greater Lowell Community Health Center, which provides access to healthcare services.

In an interview last week, Howard cited her experience and background as strengths in her candidacy.

By the numbers

According to preliminary results from Lowell and from Chelmsford, Howard garnered 2,486 votes. Nangle came in second, with  1,795 votes. Arnold came in third, with 1,287 votes.

Although Howard took the lion's share in Lowell, with 45.2% of the votes from the district's voters in the city, Nangle had a lead among Chelmsford voters. There, Nangle took 85 votes; Arnold took 61 votes, and Howard, 59 votes. With 205 votes cast in town for the 17th Middlesex primary, this means Nangle took 41% of the votes.

Overall, Chelmsford saw 2,998, or 11.6 % of the town's 25,848 registered voters cast ballots during the primary. The primary also featured a Democratic contest between Sen. Ed Markey and challenger Joe Kennedy.

Results are unofficial until certified by the Boards of Registrars.

Incumbent defeated

Nangle, who has served 11 terms in the House, could not immediately be reached. Nangle has been facing legal battles, with federal charges including alleged campaign fraud.

Nangle declined to comment on the case against him, and declined to name an attorney representing him in the case.

In an interview last week, Nangle said his legal troubles never overshadowed his desire to run again, despite resigning his committee memberships in the House.

"I never hesitated," Nangle said. "We've worked hard every day...more and more people reached out to us."

Legal woes

Amid the coronavirus crisis, Nangle said he has joined his colleagues in the Legislature, working remotely.

Authorities arrested Nangle at his home Feb. 18. Nangle entered a not guilty plea the same day in federal court.

Charges against Nangle include 10 counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, nine counts of making false statements to a bank, and five counts of filing false tax returns.

Nangle allegedly filed false campaign finance reports to conceal inappropriate expenditures, and allegedly reported false tax deductions, according to authorities. The case against Nangle was outlined in an indictment that links the charges to alleged gambling-related debts and losses.

On Feb. 19, Nangle resigned his House leadership and committee posts, including the House Committee on Ethics, House Committee on Rules and Joint Committee on Rules.

Nangle has served as division chairman in House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s leadership team, which he also resigned.

'An excellent campaign'

Challenger Arnold said, "I think we ran an excellent campaign. I left nothing on the table, and I have not regrets. I wish Vanna all the best, and I hope she and I can work together on some initiatives."

Arnold campaigned on issues such as access to mental health services, and a push for greater government transparency at the state level. "I would like to see mental health elevated...and I really hope we can get more transparency in the State House, and I hope representatives will stand up and ask for that."

The Eagle-Independent will post more updates as they become available.