Three Democratic candidates have been confirmed to have made the March 4 ballot in the 2nd Suffolk state rep race, with kick-offs and endorsements already on the way in the short race.
First off, former City Councillor Roy Avellaneda announced that he made the ballot and will kick off his campaign this coming Monday, Feb. 4, at the ever-popular Mystic Brewery on Williams Street in Chelsea.
“It would be a privilege to represent the residents of Charlestown and Chelsea in the legislature,” said Avellaneda. “Most everything I’ve done in my adult life — serving on the Chelsea Planning Board and Chelsea City Council, working in state government, starting my own business and working in real estate — has been driven by a simple motive: How can I best help people in the community?”
Avellaneda is the son of Tito and Isabel Avellaneda, who came to the US from Argentina and founded the Chelsea landmark, Tito’s Bakery. Roy and his two brothers, Chris and Nikolas, worked in the family business growing up. Chris is now a Chelsea firefighter and Nikolas is a financial analyst.
Avellaneda’s longstanding commitment to community activism and public service began in 1995 when he joined the Chelsea Planning Board. In 1997, Avellaneda ran successfully for district City Councilor, and in 2001 was elected Councilor At Large. Following his re-election in 2003, his peers elected Avellaneda as City Council President. In 2005 he accepted a position as legislative aide to then Senator Jarrett Barrios. Since 2009, Avellaneda has worked in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, most recently as project manager for the Office of Real Estate and Asset Development. He continues to serve as a member of the Chelsea Licensing Board and Chelsea Community Trust Fund.
Avellaneda also has significant experience in the private sector. He previously served as executive director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce and, following in his parent’s footsteps, opened his own small business, Isabel’s Café, in 2000. Avellaneda later obtained his Massachusetts real estate license and accepted a job with Group Boston Real Estate, in Boston’s Back Bay. He continues to work as an Associate Broker with Weichert Metropolitan Boston Real Estate.
“Our next state representative should have a perspective that can only come from extensive experience in both the public sector and the private sector,” Avellaneda said. “I’m running to continue my longstanding commitment to helping people and to bring more of that same kind of energy, effectiveness, and perspective to Beacon Hill.“
Meanwhile, Chelsea City Council President Matt Frank made news when he endorsed Charlestown’s Dan Ryan – who is seeing some inroads in Chelsea among Frank and some other elected officials.
Ryan is a community activist and former aide to Congressman Mike Capuano, where he served as District Representative for Chelsea and Charlestown.
“I’m proud to support Dan Ryan’s campaign for State Representative,” said Frank. “Dan is a community leader with a proven track record of getting things done. He understands the issues facing Chelsea and will be a strong, progressive voice for our community. I know that Dan is the right person for the job.”
Ryan said, “I’m honored to have been endorsed by City Council President Matt Frank. Matt and I share a vision that stretches across the district – fostering economic development and job creation, improving access to quality education, and enhancing our local business districts.”
Ryan and his wife, Kara Segal-Ryan, are raising their three children in Charlestown. Prior to his work in Congressman Capuano’s office, Ryan spent 10 years working at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club where he served as director of the Teen Center and program coordinator for the Healthy Charlestown Coalition. Ryan serves on numerous boards and community-based organizations.
A third candidate, Chris Remmes, also of Charlestown, has made the ballot as well and is running an active campaign and raising a significant amount of money.