ORANGE — Former state Rep. Denise Andrews is planning a July 10 campaign kickoff event in her bid to regain the Second Franklin District state representative’s seat.
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., will headline the rain-or-shine Sunday barbecue event from 3 to 6 p.m. at 182 Holtshire Road. The kickoff will be an opporunity for the public to meet Andrews, who held the seat from 2011 to 2015, and learn more about her, with time to mingle and discuss ideas and concerns with her and the congressman.
“Denise worked hard as your state representative and brought significant money, resources and progress to your communities. She cares deeply about this district and we need her back. I am proud to endorse Denise and ask that you join me in supporting her campaign,” McGovern said.
The Second Franklin District stretches eastward from Gill and Erving to also include Warwick, Wendell, New Salem and Orange in Franklin County, but also Athol, Royalston, Phillipston, Templeton and Petersham in Worcester County and even part of Belchertown in Hampshire County.
Reservations can be made by calling 978-633-7736. Suggested contributions are $25, $50 or $100 for the fundraiser.
Andrews, 57, an Orange native who won her first bid for elected office in 2010 with nearly 53 percent of the total in a three-way race, after beating back three other primary challengers, lost the seat in the 2014 election to Republican Susannah Whipps Lee of Athol in the last election.
After working for more than 25 years in corporate management, primarily at Procter & Gamble in Ohio, Andrews has been operating a diversity training consulting firm, Legacy Unlimited, from her home in Orange.