The race became personal in August when Andrews went to the Police Department in Athol to report that a source had told her Lee made a cocaine buy at her Athol home.
Denise Andrews, state representative from the 2nd Franklin District, is facing a challenge in her bid for reelection from Susannah Whipps Lee and Richard F. Schober Jr.
FRANKLIN COUNTY – The three candidates for the 2nd Franklin District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives all put jobs and the economy at the top of their list of campaign issues. The disagreement is over who is best equipped to get the job done.
Democratic incumbent Denise Andrews is being challenged by Republican Susannah Whipps Lee of Athol and Richard F. Schober of Templeton, who is running as an Independent. Andrews won the seat formerly held by Christopher Donelan two years ago and staved off three challengers in this fall’s Democratic primary.
Andrews’ priorities include education, leadership and services for seniors and veterans. Despite the tough economy, she is optimistic about Franklin County.
“What is true is that we’re making good solid progress,” she said.
Her opponents disagree heartily. Lee, who chairs the Athol Board of Selectmen, points to Andrews decision to take a consulting job with a New Jersey company as proof.
“The lack of employment opportunity for people in Massachusetts is displayed perfectly,” she said. “Andrews had to go to New Jersey to find a second job.”
Schober, a graphic designer, is not an admirer of Andrews’ work, either.
“When I checked out the incumbent’s record, I wasn’t impressed,” he said. “Things are worse economically than when she was sworn in.”
The race became personal in August when Andrews went to the Police Department in Athol to report that a source had told her Lee made a cocaine buy at her Athol home. The police found no basis for the story, but Lee, who runs Whipps, Inc. an Athol company that makes equipment for sewage treatment plants, was outraged. Massachusetts Republicans demanded that Andrews name her source, but she has declined to do so publicly.
Lee called the incident an example of poor judgment by Andrews.
“This is why normal, hard-working folks like myself steer clear of politics,” she said.
Andrews characterizes the incident as a “distraction” from the real issues, but has not backed down. She is hoping the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office investigates both the allegations concerning Lee and how the incident became public.
Schober, who has four children in public school, maintains that both his opponents are out of touch with reality.
“The other candidates are very successful businesswomen,” he said. “I don’t think they really can understand what most people in the district have to go through on a daily basis.”
About the candidates
Denise Andrews
Position sought: State representative, 2nd Franklin District
Age: 53
Address: Orange
Political party: Democratic
Occupation: Corporate consultant
Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, University of Massachusetts. MBA, Xavier University
Elective experience: Incumbent
Susannah Whipps Lee
Position sought: State representative, 2nd Franklin District
Age: 43
Address: Athol
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Owner of Whipps., Inc.
Education: Degree in culinary arts, Johnson and Wales University
Elective experience: Athol Board of Selectmen
Richard F. Schober, Jr.
Position sought: State representative, 2nd Franklin District
Age: 55
Address: Templeton
Political party: Independent
Occupation: Web and graphic designer
Education: BA in engineering, University of Massachusetts
Elective experience: Narragansett Regional School Committee