The Norwood Representative District Race-June 14, 1974

Vacant 17th Norfolk Seat Sparks Democratic Primary Free-For-All as Young Candidates Shake Up Local Political Field

A highly competitive race to fill the vacant legislative seat in Norwood’s newly drawn 17th Norfolk Representative District is leading to a political free-for-all in the upcoming September 17 Democratic primary, setting the stage for a potential four-way clash in the November general election.

The crowded primary ticket was triggered by the unexpected announcement earlier this year from state Representative David O. Ahearn, D-Norwood, that he would retire at the end of his current term, capping a ten-year career in the House of Representatives. With the official deadline for filing nomination papers just four days away, the Democratic field features six or seven serious contenders vying for the chance to advance to the general election.

A significant and defining characteristic of this burgeoning campaign is the youthful energy redefining the local political landscape, as six of the ten total potential candidates across all parties are 30 years old or younger.

Leading the field of veteran local politicians is Selectman John F. Lydon, 38, of Press Ave., who is completing his second term on the board and plans to file his papers by Monday. A business administration graduate of Boston College, Lydon has served as a town meeting member for 14 years and is a past planning board member. Joining him is fellow Selectman William F. Butters, 50, of 354 Nichols St., a political science graduate of the University of Vermont and former state representative (1965-1966) who has twice been defeated in subsequent elections by Republican state Representative Alan P. Danovitch. The veteran presence in the primary also includes Clement A. Riley, 68, of 132 Berwick Place, a former selectman, state civil service commissioner, and registrar of motor vehicles who currently works as a lobbyist for the Massachusetts Port Authority.

The old guard faces an aggressive challenge from several political newcomers and young progressives. William J. Plasko, at just 22 years of age, is already running a notable campaign as the youngest town moderator in Norwood’s history. A member of the Democratic Town Committee, Plasko has already filed his nomination papers. Entering his first race for public office is Gregory W. Sullivan, 22, of 41 Howard St., the son of former state senator and current District Court Justice George A. Sullivan Jr. The younger Sullivan graduated from Harvard University yesterday. Shaking up the primary field is newcomer Richard D. Armour, 30, of 94 Hill St., a Norwood native and Stonehill College government graduate who currently serves as president of Bob’s Taxi Co. and plans to file his papers by the Tuesday deadline. Rounding out the potential Democratic pool is Francis J. Keady, 41, of 147 Richland Road, a veteran union organizer of 12 years and the driving force behind the District 9 community organizations that successfully opposed racing operations at the Norwood Arena. Keady is still actively considering whether he will formalize his candidacy.

While the Democratic primary escalates into a crowded battleground, the Republican side has completely stabilized around a single candidate: David Boch, 20, of 744 Neponset St. A Harvard senior and graduate of the Norwood public school system, Boch is the son of Richard Boch of the prominent Boch automotive dealerships. Running his very first campaign for public office, Boch stands uncontested, with local GOP observers predicting no further primary challengers will emerge.

The ultimate November ballot will be further crowded by two independent candidates who are skipping the September primary matching but actively gathering the necessary signatures to secure their spots. Jay Dixon, 26, of 21 Maple St., a former professional football player and political newcomer, recently made local waves by hosting a public rally in town seeking the impeachment of President Nixon. The second independent in the race is Brian W. O’Malley, 29, of 247 Prospect St., an active town meeting member from District 2 who works locally as an electrician. Under the new legislative map, the updated 17th Norfolk District will exclude Norwood’s District 4, which is being combined with the town of Walpole to create a separate legislative seat. Representative Danovitch, the Republican who previously shared the unified Norwood-Walpole single district with Representative Ahearn, has confirmed he will run for state representative exclusively within that newly formed Walpole district.