Manning dissed by Herald. I don't get it. She's the better candidate. Must be they think it's a two person race between Lovely and Slattery.

Maybe it is because she is not the better candidate. All she does is write angry messages on her facebook and attempt to stir issues via press releases...I have not seen one card or person in my neighborhood either and that tells me she is either not organized well or she does not care about my neighborhoods vote. The last time that I checked there is a primary next week...So since I did not get anything from her camp and want to vet her out, the only information that I found was extremely negative and in some ways desctructive. I guess instead of working part-time as an attorney she can now work full-time. I am not sure how someone who wins this office would get paid a salary way above the median feels they could consider it a part-time job. Not to mention all the potential conflicts of interest you would run into...

Klassy I am talking about how MEM and Slattery want to work as attorney's part time while serving as a Senetor. They get pull a very nice salary and govt benefits and that on its own is why I wont vote for either not to mention all of the other concerns i have with the candidates. I have met Lovely and Slatterly at my home. They were very pleasant. I have not seen Manning. This is a repeat of Fitzgerald not making their way over to the other side of town. If they wont make the effort now then they wont when they are in. She was the first one out at the gate and she is the only one that hasnt made an attempt....

This was actually a very good week for Ms. Lovely. It confirms my belief that Ms. Manning is going to finish third in a four way race. I understand what Mr Slattery and Ms. Lovely see as their paths to victory but not really sure what the strategy for Ms. Manning is. This is going to be a low turn out election decided by organization and high interest voters. Voters that are going to be most interested in hearing each candidates positions on keeping Massachusetts out of the depths of the recession that is really hurting other states like New Jersey etc. While this state could be doing better we are far more fortunate than many states.

With those two considerations in mind I think Slattery takes the race with Lovely right being him. Just my opinion and we will find out soon enough if I am right.

Mira, this is the Local Voices section. It's a platform where any member of the community, even you, can start a blog to express a unique view provided it abides by the terms of services and a real name is used. It's not an article. It wasn't written by a Patch employee.

Mira, Linda, Ann and anyone else who shares this concern here, let's put this into perspective. This is a blog post by a user quoting an endorsement from a Boston newspaper. This is not a letter to the editor and nowhere does the author actually praise or promote Joan Lovely in his own words other than to quote the endorsement from the Herald. Sure, we could have added a note identifying Darek Barcikowski as a member of Lovely's campaign, but that wasn't really necessary and it seems to be a moot point anyway since you all know who he is.

I am still wondering how teacher's union MEMBERS and Police will vote. I know that Slattery has gotten the nod from he union bosses, but what about the rank and file??? How can teachers support a guy who chooses child rapists as clients? Don't matters of conscience count? I would be surprised if the vote is as strong as he would like.

Absolutely, anyone can start a blog on Patch and write about whatever issues they choose to write about. That is what makes Patch great - the "local voices," the posts and discussions (such as these) and of course the local coverage by its staff which oftentimes is in real time, something print media cannot deliver. I have sent press releases that I have signed as a candidate, others as owner of my business and still others as a representative of organizations I am affiliated with. For the local voices blog, I believe the Patch just asks for the name.

I'm sure Joan Lovely is a very dedicated local public official for the city of Salem, but it's my opinion that she'd be at a huge disadvantage representing the district as a State Senator. In Senator Berry, we're losing someone who had enormous influence on Beacon Hill, and as a result brought millions in tax dollars back to cities of the 2nd Essex.

The reason I won't be voting for Ms. Lovely is the fact that she would instantly be a "back bencher" with little influence. Being a legislator who can deliver to the district means knowing the players on Beacon Hill, and if you look at it logically and factually, former Rep John Slattery is the only candidate in this race who has any idea of how politics work at the state house.

I like Ms. Lovely's drive and enthusiasm, but -- and I say all this as someone who isn't working for any of the candidates -- we need someone who is going to hit the ground running. Otherwise, as a district, we're just not going to benefit.

Lovely is not a strong candidate and would probably be somewhat mousy as a new senator. Slattery was an insider 15 years ago, all his positions were wrong. He was not for the average person, just the special interests and unions. I don't see where that has changed at all.

Thank you Salem Patch for doing good public work. In Peabody there are 300 bus drivers, school nurses, electric linemen, cemetery diggers, secretaries, tree-cutters, street-pavers, mechanics, water guys, janitors, and cafeteria workers that exist side-by-side with. We support John Slattery specifically and enthusiastically because he has shown proven and undying support for the working people of my city for the last 20 years... the thousands of people who make a modern city run and keep us embraced within the arms of a functioning and civilized society. Slattery supports real and specific economic help for the middle and lower-middle class of our district's population that were not born with built-in privileges and need assistance to become moderately stable so as to become a beneficial and functioning member of a Massachusetts economy. History shows us that an economy of the few is unsustainable. Let's look to helping the middle-class grow their purchasing power. Only then will the trickle-up economy that got the U.S. out of the Great Depression be realized in modern times. This is not a chore for the tepid and the shy, therefore, it is not a chore for Lovely. And because Manning labels the working-class as a "special interest group" it is not even on her radar. Those struggling, be aware: there is one candidate that has dedicated the majority of his life to civil equality and to those who punch a time-card... and it is Mr. Slattery. Get out your vote.

Lets face it. This Derek guy is a complete scoundrel! My sister met him at a couple of events and told me he is one of the rudest, most arrogant people she has ever met! She will not be voting democrat any time soon in a general election! I have never met any of the candidates and the Patch nees to come clean and admit they booted this one! People submiiting info promoting political candidates need to be required to post that they are part of the campaign team! It is not any violation of free speech--you cant yell fire in crowded hall or theater either! There is an old adage that applies here. Show me who your friends are and I'll show you who you are! Joan Lovelys friends speak volumes about her complete lack of character, ethics and integrity! I am voting for the only person not raising money, the only non lawyer and the only senior citizen in the race--Edward Carroll for state senate!

Labels the working class as a special interest group???? That is untrue and absurd. And you put it in quotes??? Unless you can back that up, that is inflammatory and borderline libelous. Where is your link???