13 contests in Central Mass. Senate, House seats challenged.

Byline: John J. Monahan

The following correction was published May 3, 2008:

Kurt Hayes of Boxboro is running for state representative in the 37th Middlesex District. Because of an editor's error, his name was not included in a chart in the Telegram & Gazette Thursday.

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The races for state legislative seats got under way in earnest yesterday with the close Tuesday of the candidate nominating process. Central Massachusetts voters will decide 10 contests for state representative and choose three new state senators in primaries and this fall's general election.

Nine area state legislators face no opponent, while three incumbent senators - Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre; Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge; and Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester - are seeking re-election without opposition.

Contests have emerged in each of the three Senate seats opening up, with decisions by Sen. Pamela P. Resor, D-Acton; Sen. Edward M. Augustus, D-Worcester; and Sen. Robert A. Antonioni, D-Leominster, choosing not to seek re-election.

In the Second Worcester District contest, two Democrats, Leicester Selectman Douglas A. Belanger and Millbury Selectman Michael O. Moore, will face off in a September primary, with the winner going on to a three-way final election with Republican John I. Lebeaux, a Shrewsbury selectman, and Green Rainbow Party candidate Steven Baer of Shrewsbury.

An incumbent Democratic state representative from Leominster will face off in a primary against a former Democratic state representative from Gardner in the Worcester-Middlesex Senate race, in which there is no Republican challenger. Rep. Jennifer L. Flanagan of Leominster is running against former Rep. Brian A. Knuuttila of Gardner in that contest.

Rep. James B. Eldridge, D-Acton, will face Republican Steven L. Levy, a Marlboro city councilor, for the Middlesex Worcester District Senate seat.

Reps. Lewis B. Evangelidis, R-Holden; Stephen L. DiNatale, D-Fitchburg; George N. Peterson Jr., R-Grafton; John V. Fernandes, D-Milford; Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury; James J. O'Day, D-West Boylston; Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester; John J. Binienda, D-Worcester; and Jennifer M. Callahan, D-Sutton, are all unopposed for re-election.

But there are plenty of other House contests around the region.

In northern Worcester County, incumbent Democrat Robert L. Rice of Gardner will face independent Carolyn A. Kamuda, of Gardner, in the November election for the 2nd Worcester District House seat.

Two Democrats, Dennis A. Rosa and Susan Chalifoux Zephir, will face each other in a primary to see who will meet independent Claire M. Freda, to fill the 4th Worcester District House seat being vacated by Ms. Flanagan to run for the Senate.

Meanwhile, incumbent Democrat Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr., of Clinton, is being challenged by Democrat Stephen J. Kerrigan of Lancaster in a primary race for the 12th Worcester District seat.

In Worcester, incumbent Democrat Robert P. Spellane is facing a challenge from independent Adam P. Pasquale in the 13th District race, and incumbent Democrat John P. Fresolo is being challenged by independent Mathew T. Taylor.

Incumbent Republican Paul K. Frost of Auburn will face the winner of a Democratic primary between Daniel S. Carpenter and Stephen Consilvio, both of Auburn, in the 7th Worcester and first-term Democratic Rep. Geraldo Alicea, of Charlton, is being challenged by Republican Southbridge Selectman Ronald J. Chernisky, in the 6th Worcester District race.

Incumbent Democrat Paul J. Kujawski, of Webster, is facing a primary challenge from Democrat Richard E. Preston, with the winner going up against Republican Kevin J. Kuros in the final election for the 8th Worcester District seat.

Incumbent Democrat Anne M. Gobi, of Spencer, is being challenged by Republican Stephen J. Comptois II, of Brookfield, in the 5th Worcester District.

ART: CHART (SEE CORRECTION)

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