Moulton's Primary Challengers Plan To Stay In The Race

SALEM, MA — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) may no longer be running for president, but he'll still be running in a contested election next year. Jamie Zahlaway Belsito and Salem City Councilor Lisa Peterson, who previously announced plans to challenge Moulton in the Democratic primary when his seat in Congress goes up for reelection next year, said Moulton's decision on Friday to end his long-shot bid for president doesn't change their plans.

"Rep. Moulton's attempt at a Presidential run proved that his focus has moved past our needs here in the district," Peterson said Saturday. "I'm eager to refocus us - to bring our challenges to Washington, to fight back as our rights and protections are eroding, and to stand with us here on the ground in Massachusetts."

While several Democrats have hinted they may run for Moulton's seat, only Belsito and Peterson have officially entered the race. Belsito, who was previously registered as an unenrolled voter, backed Republican Richard Tisei when he challenged Moulton in 2014.

"I am running for Congress," Belsito, of Topsfield, said in a statement late Friday. "I made my decision to enter the 2020 Congressional race in April independent of anyone else’s intentions."

Before Moulton announced plans to drop out of the presidential race, former state Sen. Barbara L'Italien, an Andover Democrat, was reportedly considering a run, as was state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, a Marblehead Democrat. Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said in April she would give a run serious consideration to entering the Democratic primary if Moulton does not run again in 2020, but Moulton said Friday he plans to run for reelection for the 6th Congressional District seat.

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).