BC Law alum seeks state office position

Candidates for the top positions in the undergraduate government aren't the only ones who will be knocking on doors this month.

Students who support the special election of Timothy Schofield, BC Law '99, will be canvassing the residence halls as well.

Jesse Kirdahy-Scalia, A&S '05, and Michael Conrad, A&S '06, are heading a door-to-door campaign on BC's Lower Campus. They are urging residents of Edmond's Hall, Walsh Hall, Vanderslice Hall, and 90 More Rd. to vote in the upcoming election. Residents of these halls can vote because this part of BC's campus is located in 18th Suffolk District.

Students must re-register in this district to be eligible to cast a vote. The deadline for registration is Feb. 26. Kirdahy-Scalia and Conrad have forms available and can be contacted through e-mail.

Schofield is running in an upcoming special Democratic primary race for Massachusetts state representative of the 18th Suffolk District, the part upon which Lower Campus is located. Former State Representative Golden left the position for another one in the Governor Mitt Romney administration.

Both campaigners stated that the student voice is often ignored by local politicians because it is often not active.

Kirdayh-Scalia pointed out that the estimated turnout of voters for the primary is about 1200-1500, while the number of students in the residence halls on Lower Campus is approximately 2900. He went on to say that "one vote can make the difference."

He went on to mention that former representative Golden, who although ran as a Democrat, leaned toward Republican ideologies.

Kirdayh-Scalia described the district as being predominantly liberal and that Schofield will be more reflective of the area's concerns and values.

"It's exciting that replacing a conservative vote with a progressive vote in the state house will make a difference," he said.

Conrad echoed the sentiments of his fellow campaigner.

"A strong showing [of BC students] in this election will first give us a state representation in government and second help demonstrate to college students that they have a place in local government," he said.

The primary race will be held on March 15, in which Schofield will compete against Mike Moran, Joe Walsh, Jr., and Greg Glennon.

If Schofield wins, he'll advance to the secondary race, on April 12, where he will compete against two independent candidates, Tom O'Brien and Dan Kontoff.

Schofield is a Democrat whose major platform points include affordable housing, progressive values, community safety, and corporate accountability.

Under housing, Schofield's focus is to keep residences' in good condition as well as to prevent the rising costs of housing from disabling students, the middle class, and the less-advantaged to buy homes.

Schofield intends to make students more aware of this program so students are aware of their rights when renting an apartment.

As an openly gay man, Schofield is a proponent of same sex marriage, opposes the death penalty, and supports abortion.

In addition, Schofield stresses the importance of campus and community safety. He is urging students to be proactive in order to ensure security within neighborhoods.

He encourages university governments to work with Boston Police to make certain that students should not be treated any different than anyone else.

Presently, students can receive harsher penalties than ordinary citizens for committing the same offense, such as noise disturbances or parties.

Josh Sugarman, campaign manager and student at Brandeis University, said in a phone interview with The Heights why he is supporting the candidate and what Schofield will offer to the community.

"Tim really embodies the progressive values that I believe in, such as bettering our public school system, a woman's right to choose, supporting gay marriage, and opposing the death penalty.

"As a student, I know that he'll bring students to the table to have a voice in the state government. And I know we need more representatives like that at the state house," said Sugarman.