ANDOVER - Potential new candidates were lining up yesterday following the announcement by State Sen. Susan C. Tucker, D-Andover, that she will not seek re-election at the end of her current term in January 2011.
Tucker, 65, has represented the 2nd Essex and Middlesex District comprised of Lawrence, Andover, Dracut and Tewksbury since 1999.
Prior to her annoucement yesterday, three challengers had already taken out election papers. But yesterday, the list of potential candidates doubled.
Among the new names now in the mix are Andover School Committee member Deb Silberstein, former Lawrence mayoral candidate David Abdoo, and Lawrence Veteran's Services Director Francisco Urena.
Also rumored to be considering runs are State Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, and former Lawrence mayor Mike Sullivan.
Republicans Jamison Tomasek and Mark Baldwin and Democrat John Kelly were already expected to challenge Tucker, having taken out election papers with the Secretary of State.
Silberstein, 50, confirmed yesterday that she will run for Tucker's seat. She is the chairwoman of the Andover School Committee and has also served on the town Finance Committee.
"People have been encouraging me to run and I think it's an opportunity for new ideas and new leadership," said Silberstein, a Democrat. "I have a strong record of getting things done."
Abdoo and Urena confirmed yesterday that they are considering election bids.
Abdoo, 42, who is unenrolled, is a former Lawrence city councilor. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year against William Lantigua and said he would like to serve the city again.
"This may be one opportunity," said Abdoo, who works for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "I'll certainly begin the conversation with my family and consider it."
Urena, 29, a Republican, is an Iraq War veteran who earned a Purple Heart during combat operations while serving as a tank commander. He was named Lawrence veteran's director in 2007.
"It's something I've given some thought, but have not made a decision yet," said Urena of his election plans. "I have an exploratory committee and have not discarded the opportunity to run."
In a brief statement released yesterday, Finegold, a state representative since 1997, applauded Tucker's work in the state Senate. He did not return a call seeking comment.
Sullivan, a Republican and two-term mayor in Lawrence, also commended Tucker in an e-mail.
"As far as my future in politics, I have said in the past that I will always keep options open," Sullivan wrote. "My decision to run for a political seat has never hinged upon someone else either running or not."
Tomasek, 50, is an Andover Republican. A certified public accountant, he works as the director of internal audits for a Chelmsford printing and publishing business.
In a statement yesterday, Tomasek acknowledged what he referred to as Tucker's "strong record of constituent service."
"I was looking forward to debating her on how to best solve the financial issues of Lawrence and how state policy adversely impacts the three towns in the district," he wrote.
Kelly, 37, of Dracut, is the president of the North Andover-based telephone workers union IBEW Local 2321. He said he is unhappy with present representation at the State House.
"I'm not the type of guy to sit on my hands," said Kelly. "I'll get in the race. The time just seems right."
Attempts to contact Baldwin were unsuccessful. Although he has taken out election papers as a Republican, a spokesman for the Secretary of State's office said there was no additional information about him available yesterday.
Tucker is the chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and vice chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy. She also serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and joint committees on education, revenue, financial services, and economic development.
Before joining the Senate, Tucker was a state representative from 1982 to 1992.
She also took out election papers with the Secretary of State before deciding not to run.
Tucker yesterday said she wants to devote more time to her family.
"Obviously, it's a struggle," said Tucker. "Nobody jumps into a race or leaves a race without great thought and consideration."
Free from the demands of a re-election campaign, Tucker said she will give more time to the fight against what she called a "misguided proposal" to bring casino gambling to Massachusetts.
"I have my priorities and things I want to get done," said Tucker. "I'm working right up until the last day."
