Candidate Picks Up Key Endorsement In Race To Replace Speliotis

DANVERS, MA —The union that represents Danvers police officers is backing independent candidate Jason Guida in the race to replace Rep. Ted Speliotis, who is not running for reelection.

"Experience, honesty and the promise of an open door; that is why we decided to endorse Jason," said Scott Frost, a Danvers police officer and president of the Danvers Police Benevolent Association. "His demonstrated experience in public safety, both as a prosecutor who focused on keeping guns, drugs and violent criminals off our streets and as an author of well-balanced public safety laws, makes him the most informed candidate in this race."

Five candidates are on the ballot to replace Speliotis. But with just one Republican and lone Democrat joining three independent candidates, there will be no September primary for voters in the 13th Essex District, which includes Danvers, Middleton and parts of Peabody.

" It is essential that we balance the concerns of our community with our interest in maintaining public safety," Guida said. "I have first-hand experience working with law enforcement and the independence to do what is right, even if what is right is not politically advantageous."

In addition to Guida, an attorney, the candidates include:

• Robert May, a Peabody Republican who announced plans to run for the seat on April 18, before Speliotis said he would not run for reelection.
• Sally Kerans, a 59-year-old Danvers Danvers Democrat who held the seat from 1991 to 1997.
• Former Danvers school committee member Bill Bates, an independent who works as an aide to Speliotis.
• Chris Keohane, an entrepreneur and independent candidate from Danvers.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).