A fourth candidate has entered the race to fill the seat of the late state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester.
Manchester-by-the-Sea’s Christina Delisio, a Republican, said she is campaigning for the 5th Essex District seat, which encompasses Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester. Already in the race are long-time Gloucester resident Ashley Sullivan, former chair of the Gloucester Republican City Committee; and Ferrante’s aide, Andrew “Dru” Tarr and former Rockport Select Board Chair Sarah Wilkinson, both Democrats.
A special election has been scheduled for March 31, with special primaries taking place March 3.
“I’m focused on bringing balance, transparency, and accountability and ultimately affordability to Beacon Hill,” Delisio said.
“What sets me apart is I have a diverse background,” she said. “I have so many fields I’ve been in.”
She has a background in environmental protection, law and education and brings “real-world experience, steady leadership and a lifelong commitment to public service.”
Delisio supports what she said is the need for the Massachusetts Legislature to comply with a ballot measure aprroved by voters in 2024 that grants state Auditor Diana DiZoglio the power to audit the Legislature.
Some lawmakers have argued the audit violates the state Constitution’s separation of powers.
“There’s a lack of transparency,” Delisio said. “I support the audit. I want to bring a new voice to Beacon Hill. I’m very much in favor of the audit. I don’t approve what’s happening at the moment with the unfettered spending in the Massachusetts budget.”
Delisio suggested the Legislature’s political landscape is reflected in what she said is a “one-party system,” dominated by Democrats.
While she is a Republican, Delisio worked in the late 1980s as an aide to former U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-MA. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the New England School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2003.
Delisio served on Manchester’s Planning Board for 12 years, ending in 2024 as vice chair. Her tenure included community outreach efforts, working to modernize zoning codes and helping guide local policy planning initiatives.
Delisio said her tenure on Manchester’s Planning Board was instructive in her run for the 5th District seat — pointing to what she calls “irregularities” she observed as the board worked with such groups as the Massachusetts Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the oversight made during consideration of the MBTA Communities Act.
“These boards are not elected, they’re appointed,” she said. “I’m not afraid to speak out. I’m not a wallflower. I’m not afraid to speak my mind or stand for the people of my district.”
Delisio said the “one-party system is not working in Massachusetts,” adding real democracy needs two sides.
“There’s no transparency with a one-party system,” she said. “We need some checks and balances and I will be that check. I believe with my legal background I’m able to take the emotion out of the consideration.”