Five Hopefuls, No Primaries In Race To Replace Rep. Speliotis

DANVERS, MA — Five candidates are on the ballot to replace Rep. Ted Speliotis, who is not running for reelection. 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.

Speliotis said last month he would not run for reelection. Speliotis has held the seat since 1997.

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.
• Jason Guida, an independent from Danvers who works as an attorney.