.

Romney stumps for legislative hopefuls

Governor's visit serves up support, Greek food
By ALEX QUINONES
STAFF WRITER

NORTH ANDOVER - Gov. Mitt Romney shook hands, cracked jokes and posed for pictures with local residents at a home on Blue Ridge Road last night as Greek music and the smell of spinach pie wafted through the air. The governor-s appearance was meant to energize and rally support f()rMaria Marasco, who is running for the 18th Essex Distnct state representative's, seat. Romney is making visits statewide to boost the campaigns of Republicans trying to wrestle Statehouse seats from Democrats.

The party was held at 317 Blue Ridge Road, the home of the parents of Selectman James M. Xenakis, who helped prepare the Greek food that was served. The atmosphere, a mix of tasty cuisine and lively political chatter drew rave reviews as the smiling governor worked the room. . "We got scallops and bacon, We got some excellent Greek pastry. We have spinach pie," Xenakis said, "And my mom is playing Greek music in the background" Local Republicans said they felt energized by Romney's appearance. , "He really rallied the troops," said Steve Dawe, a member of

the North Andover Finance Committee .: D.J. Beauregard, 15, of .Methuen chased after the governor following the speech, asktng one of his staffers, "Can you take a picture of me with him?" The Methuen High School. sophomore said he was 'excited to.meet the governor for a second time and-to get his autograph, whicq he sees as part .of his plan to become' governor himself someday and ultiniately president ''I met him first when he was. campaigning back in 2002," he Maria Marasco, left, a candidate for the 18th Essex j)istrict said. ''It was great meeting him state- representative seat, was the toast of the fund-raising dinner at the home of Linda and Mathew Xenakls, the parents cif again." . North Andover Selectman James M. Xenakis, right. Marasco Pleasesee ROMNEY,Page10 . hopes to defeat incumbent Barbara L'ltalien, D-Andover.

-c::: .. " 1;;"

CI>

= I;a

P d

.Til
~

_
"0

f~ I::;

e~
i"

~.......... '" .,
.......... __ ....

._ . I

fl~lItMlil~'lfli8.. t r;; !Jhl'hlt'l ! I:; ~H ,.. Itt!,U ~ c: ~~.flwJ ;Ir ~ I :::; .lfrrl
~'!l

::J.

Jeo i!=

II! ,Ui',tm !U'- Bi

,1. 1 'I"IW gIii IlL ;, 'If !3 i II" ,ii' I,f

If

II I
z ,

!~lll'IIJ'JII'./'j ~ MlrlJd!l
,

~ ....
"..
:110

Ihl

,n ~i

(t)

,OO~II~~"]~~ll~fm~i~M.~! II ~ t IIIJillii'H!'m JUiI HIH:HtHih It If

~ Cs.~;
~..oll

I~ g

Ii

ROMNEY: Governor visits to raise money for GoP, Marasco campaign

;

,\.

the l8Jh1)~bict. . "~' can shift the pohtical landscape in true here was all about reform," he . ,' '. . ROinney.s_aid,~scb's eventfs Massachusett,, especially to re- said. "The people of the state have Romney said he spokeat Maras- ' on~of~y h~is ifteI,lding to'lend Auc~:l'ta~es.: f 'already spoken, and they said that co's fund-raising eYcnt,tq.get ore ":gij,pportfq Ta2"El$ around, the-state, m "Th~ message that really rang they want the taxes rolled back to ,Republicans votw.i into the state: btft ~re vfsi.til),g on:ly""those ' . Legislature; > , ,', raceswhere we thir,ik'we have a "She is one of'the s~ongestcliai~ reaIly:stre.ng ~aInll:dat~-apirt a;.... lenger candidates inthe common- .great 'chance of picl:dng up a wealth,"he,said"~And'weneed~';:s,eilt" " . .; '.".' , ',~\" have two parties in Massachu-: , The,goYel'l).Or ald he has also , s setts. We are down to one party, lent Iiis snp'por,t to M~Y Con- ' Eighty-five percent o{the Legisla- miughtoJ;l.6f:Fr~~fun, who is' ture is in one party;" he said, refer- : running illthe 7th,MidffiesexDisring to Democrats. trict, Marasco is one of 130 RepubliMarasco said she felt encourcan legislative candidates running aged by all the support. this year, up from the 78 who ran "It was exciting. It's truly overin 2002 when Romney entered of- whelming support that I received flee but still short of the 150Re- from everyone," she said. publicans who ran in 1990. Marasco said she had not calThe Andover resident will ehal- culated how much money was lenge Democratic state Rep. Bar- raised' and would not say how , bara L'Italien, also of Andover, for much tickets cost other than that the district that represents Haver- they varied in price. . hill, Methuen, Andover, North AnAs of Aug. 27, she had $11,177 dover, Georgetown and Boxford. in her campaign war chest, acWhile Democratic lawmakers cording to official campaign fimaintained a North of Boston nancerecords. stronghold in 2002,Romney took Selectmen Chairman Brian P. 31 of 34 Essex County communi- Major said he enjoyed the food ties with 58percent: of the vote. He and speech, which ran under an received 56 percent of the vote in hour. H~ is hopeful the governor
Continued frem. Pag(f

9 ''

is

5 percent The Legislature has de.termmed that it's notin their best interest to do that Well, we need ' to change the Legislature."