A primary race is taking shape in the upcoming special election to fill the Worcester and Hampshire Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer.
Gobi was appointed as Director of Rural Affairs, a new position created under Gov. Maura Healey’s administration.
While potential candidates for the seat have until Aug. 29 to file nomination papers, for the Nov. 7 special election, it appears veteran State Rep. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, will square off against Rebekah Etique, a paralegal from Leicester, in the Oct. 10 primary.
Etique last year ran the campaign of James Amorello of Holden, who unsuccessfully challenged Gobi.
Jonathan Zlotnik, D-Gardner, has also entered the race. He is currently a state representative for the Second Worcester District and has been serving since 2013.
Unregistered voters wishing to cast ballots in the primary must be registered by 5 p.m., Sept. 30. More information about the upcoming election can be found at the Secretary of State’s website.
The district encompasses a large geographic area including the entire city of Gardner along with Ward 7 Precincts 2, 4, 5, 6 and Ward 9 Precincts 3, and 4 in Worcester. The towns of Barre, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Hubbardston, Leicester, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Paxton, Phillipston, Princeton, Rutland, Spencer, Sterling, Templeton, West Brookfield, Westminster and Ware also comprise the district.
