Voters Thursday to Decide Party Races for Sheriff, Legislators

The biggest draw for local voters during Thursday’s state primary may be to decide Democrat and Republican finalists in the November race for sheriff of Essex County.

Six Democrat and five Republican sheriff candidates are vying to advance to the Nov. 8 general election and to succeed current Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, who is not seeking another term. The Democrats, in ballot order, are William Castro of Methuen, Kevin F. Coppinger of Lynn, Michael J. Marks of Lynn, Jerry P. Robito of Lawrence, Edward J. O’Reilly of Wenham and Paul L. D. Russell Jr. of Andover. Republican candidates, in ballot order, are Kenneth H. Berg of Danvers, Jeffrey J. Gallo of Haverhill, James P. Jajuga Jr. of Methuen, Craig G. Lane of Newburyport and Anne M. Manning-Martin of Peabody.

Independent candidates are Mark E. Archer of Bedford and formerly of Lynn and Kevin Leach of Manchester-by-the-Sea. They will appear with the winners of the Republican and Democratic primaries in November.

Meanwhile, several incumbent local lawmakers face challengers from within their own parties. Haverhill resident Adele F. Martino will appear on the Democratic ballot opposite incumbent First Essex Sen. Kathleen A. O’Connor Ives of Newburyport. Also, incumbent 14th Essex Rep. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen is running against fellow democrat Phyllis Ann Jones of North Andover, while 15th Essex Rep. Linda Dean Campbell of Methuen faces local resident Christopher J. Katsoulis. Democrat Third Essex Rep. Brian S. Dempsey of Haverhill, House Ways and Means Committee chairman, as well as Republican Second Essex Rep. Leonard Mirra of West Newbury, run unopposed this year.

Polls are open Thursday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. In Haverhill, due to the ongoing Hunking School construction project, voters from Ward 2, Precinct 2 (Hunking School art room) will be casting ballots at Northtpoint Bible College, 320 South Main St. Meanwhile, voters from Ward 7, Precinct 2, who would have cast ballots at the old Hunking library, will vote at Bradford Elementary School, 116 Montvale St.

Also, due to the state primary, the Haverhill School Committee will not hold a regular meeting Thursday. Their next scheduled meeting is Thursday, Sept. 22.