Sears Pulls Papers, Setting Up State Representative Rematch

Former Tewksbury selectman Doug Sears, who ran unsuccessfully for Town Moderator, pulled papers this week and said he plans to run for State Representative this fall against longtime incumbent Jim Miceli.

The pair ran a heated campaign two years ago, but it was Miceli who won reelection easily. Sears said he learned valuable lessons that campaign, and believes it will pay off this time around.

"That was the first time out of the box, and having never done it before I wasn't sure exactly what was needed. I now am," said Sears. "(Elected officials such as Miceli) supported Jerry Selissen for Moderator, which kind of forced my hand a bit, shall we say. By their making me not the Moderator, it made the decision for me to run for 19th Middlesex."

Miceli said on Wednesday that he welcomes the competition, adding that nearly every year he has been in office, he earned his position by running successfully opposed.

"When you're in office, you expect that to happen," said Miceli. "To get an encore from this gentleman, so be it. I'm ready to go and we'll put on a very aggressive campaign."

The race two years ago featured jabs throughout, and that year's debate was particularly heated at times.

Sears said he does not expect to run the same campaign this time around.

"I'm staying positive and we'll see what he does," said Sears. "He has his way of doing things. I'm going to stay positive."

The former selectman said that the main reason he is running against Miceli is that he believes the veteran politician is "losing touch," a claim Miceli strongly denies.

"That is absolutely ludicrous," Miceli said. "I'm more in touch with my constituency thank anyone I know."