Ward 8: Mangipudi Says She's Focused on the Issues

Latha Mangipudi spent the weekend campaigning, going door-to-door in Ward 8 where she on the ballot for State Rep on the Democratic ticket. 

She didn't want to talk about her opponent, Republican Peter Silva, on Sunday.

"I don't want to comment further on what Pete said. I just want voters to know I'm focused on the campaign. I want them to know what I stand for. I feel I have the qualifications to represent the voters of Ward 8 at the state level," Mangipudi said. 

Mangipudi was referencing a story  that was first published in the Nashua Telegraph last week, with Silva acknowledging some controversial comments he had made during a Republican committee meeting.

Last week Mangipudi told Nashua Patch  her reaction to Silva's comment was sadness. 

"It saddens me to see this. Ward 8 is not 'New Delhi' – this is 21st century America. I have worked in all the community organizations here, and it's an integrated community celebrating diversity."

A follow-up story ran Oct. 26 on Nashua Patch, in which Silva said he is "going rogue" and not apologizing for what he said – despite criticism from Democrats and pressure from his own party – for his remarks, which have been characterized by some as racist. Silva contacted Nashua Patch to talk about his own family heritage, which includes a grandfather from Cape Verde, who is black.

"I went rogue on them with this. I'm not playing that game. I believe in truth, and what I said had nothing to do with race. There were 50 to 60 people there who heard what I said. I was a Majority Leader – I know how to speak in a group of people, and I wasn't trying to be guarded, because what I said was harmless," Silva said.

Mangipudi is directing voters to her website at lathamangipudi.com or email her directly at latha.mangipudi@gmail.com with questions. She also has a Facebook page, Latha Mangipudi for State Representative.