Brent Benson
Technologist, educator, musician
- This Tuesday (Feb 3) is the special primary election to fill the First Middlesex State Senate seat that was held by Sen. Edward J. Kennedy who passed away on October 1. Here is a look at the only two Dem. candidates State Reps Vannah Howard and Rodney Elliott, both of Lowell.
- The 1st Middlesex district consists of the city of Lowell and the towns of Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell, and Tyngsborough. It was represented by Sen. Kennedy from 2019 through October of 2025 and Eileen Donaghue. mapoli.us/districts/st...
- State Rep. Rodney Elliott represents the 16th Middlesex district which has 9 overlapping precincts with the 1st Middlsex in the northern part of Lowell. State Rep. Vannah Howard represents the 17th Middlesex district which has 13 Lowell precincts in the 1st.
- In terms of fundraising, both candidates have a similar amount of cash on hand. Howard has reported more funds raised in January than Elliott—$14,623 compared to $4,700. There are no GOP primary candidates. With a district PVI of D+7 the Dem primary should determine the new senator.