ORANGE — With two months to go before the Nov. 8 election, Denise Andrews, a former two-term state legislator for the North Quabbin region, has abandoned her rematch against the incumbent who beat her two years ago for the job in the House of Representatives.
Andrews, who worked for the pharmaceutical industry before her two two-year terms earlier this decade, said in a statement Sunday that she is taking a job in the private sector.
Andrews, a liberal Democrat from Orange, was defeated two years ago by Republican Susannah Whipps Lee of Athol for the Second Franklin District seat.
“I have made a very difficult decision to withdraw from this race and to accept a recently offered opportunity in the private sector; I believe this decision is best for my family and me.”
This news essentailly assures re-election for Whipps Lee, a 45-year-old Athol native, who faced no primary challenge. She has served on the House joint committees on elder affairs, on mental health and substance abuse, on state administration and regulatory oversight and on municipal and regional government, as well as a special task force for the prevention of child sexual abuse.
Andrews, a 57-year-old Orange native, won her first bid for elected office in 2010 with nearly 53 percent of the total in a three-way race after beating back three other challengers in the Democratic primary. She had been working for more than 25 years in corporate management, primarily at Procter & Gamble in Ohio.
She also has operated a diversity training consulting firm, Legacy Unlimited, from her home in Orange.
After emerging from a four-way Democratic primary in 2012, Andrews was re-elected in another three-way race that November that included Whipps Lee, an Athol selectman and part owner of Athol manufacturer Whipps Inc.
She faced Whipps Lee in a rematch in 2014 after having no primary challenge, but the Athol Republican won the seat with 54 percent of the vote.
In her statement Sunday, Andrews said, “The volunteers who turned out for my campaign have been incredible, and I could not have asked for more dedicated friends and supporters. It is hard to find the words to express my appreciation, and I thank them as well as all who supported me through the primary.
“I will continue to work toward advancing a progressive, inclusive, and effective democracy through helping to elect leaders and advance projects and policies that improve our government to better serve all of our citizens.”
Whipps Lee said Sunday: “Running for office and deciding what is best for you and your family are very personal decisions. I wish Denise the best of luck with her new job opportunity. My campaign for re-election is going to continue as planned. We will be working just as hard and taking no vote for granted from now through Election Day.”
Andrews formerly held the seat for two terms (2011 – 2014) and serves on several local boards.