Wood Decides Against State Rep. Run, Citing Mother’s Health

Haverhill School Committeeman Scott W. Wood Jr. said Wednesday he will forgo entering the race for Third Essex state representative to focus on family health concerns.

Wood told WHAV in July that he was considering entering the race to fill the seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Brian S. Dempsey. Since then, his mother has been hospitalized and faces a long period of rehabilitation.

“It can sometimes be difficult to balance my desire to serve the public and my obligations in my personal life, but I will say that at this time I have decided not to pursue the open state representative seat,” Wood said in a statement.

Explaining his mother recently had surgery, Wood said, “My place, very simply, is with my family and particularly with my mother during this difficult time.”

Had Wood chosen to run, he would have entered the Democratic primary against City Councilor Andy Vargas and School Committeeman Paul A. Magliocchetti. The only Republican in the race is School Committeeman Shaun P. Toohey, who does not plan to seek reelection to that body. The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10.

In his statement, Wood praised Dempsey. “Brian Dempsey’s shoes will be almost impossible to fill. He gave his all to serving our community, and as I thought about running I knew that I simply couldn’t give a state representative race the dedication it deserved.” He said he will continue to serve the city as a member of the School Committee, as he has for the past 14 years.

Instead of a campaign contribution, Wood asked supporters to consider making a donation to the Boston for the National Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at movingdaywalk.org/wood2017.

4 thoughts on “Wood Decides Against State Rep. Run, Citing Mother’s Health

    • Wow if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black! Was it the expression of empathy or calling Scott’s decision honorable that peeved you Jack?

      Nobody thought Scott would win. I don’t think Scott thought Scott would win. However he did float the idea to the Press- which drew attention to himself -which others have done, which is smart politics. can’tstandit is right. And best wishes to he and his family during this hard time.

  1. Sad news about Mrs Wood and I wish her all the best. He’s correct about where his place is and that is honorable.

    However, I don’t think that he ever believed he could beat Magliocheti or Vargas and his exploratory analyses were disingenuous.

    But, he’s a politician who got his name in the paper several times.