excerpt:

NEW BEDFORD — For only the third time this century, Bristol County’s 

10th state representative district will have a contested Republican primary. 

Bob McConnell of Fairhaven and Joe Pires of Rochester will face off in 

the Sept. 3 primary, hoping to fill an open seat. The retiring Rep. Bill Straus, a Mattapoisett Democrat, has held the job for more than 30 years.

The winning Republican will advance to the November election and face 

Mark Sylvia, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary. 

To compete in the district — which leans Democratic and includes 

Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Fairhaven, and 

parts of Acushnet and New Bedford — candidates McConnell 

and Pires are hoping to attract independent or frustrated voters by 

running campaigns that promote moderate values and civic participation. 

Many of their specific policy agendas, however, are more strictly 

conservative or libertarian.


THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IS FAR MORE EXPERIENCED!