Praises rivals, PLANS TO STAY ACTIVE

Voters knew little about political novice Andrew E. O'Brien; still, they cast 1,280 votes for him Feb. 5 in the primary contest among three Democrats seeking to be state representative in the 23rd Middlesex district. Those votes may have been part of the difference that tilted the election to Sean Garballey, who won by 420 votes. O'Brien comments on that possibility. 

In e-mailed remarks Feb. 8, O'Brien wrote:

"I agree that my candidacy did play a role in the election. But I do not think I changed the ultimate outcome in any way. Since my campaigning primarily consisted of going door to door, I received a lot of feedback directly from the voters.

"In Arlington, most of the people I spoke to had already made up their minds to vote for either Jeff or Sean, but were still happy to meet me and discuss issues. On the flip side, there was a contingent of folks who were pleased to have a democratic choice outside the School Committee.

"The quality of the broadcasts coming out of the Arlington Studio has improved, and I feel it now plays a greater role in our election process. The Arlington candidates' forum was very well attended and broadcast live. 

"I believe I got a bit of a boost from it. The feedback I received was that while many voters thought my presentation was unpolished, they thought my answers were honest, thoughtful, and imaginative.

"The only area that I could have made a difference in the outcome would have been West Medford. People I spoke to had met Jeff and liked him but they were also open to my ideas. 

"I did not meet anyone who had met or knew Sean. I was amazed at the number of people who were familiar with Arlington politics. Despite their knowledge, they seemed removed from Arlington events, and really wanted to get know the candidates personally from their own perspective. I was honestly surprised that I got as many votes as I did in West Medford. 

"Had I not been in the race, my 397 West Medford votes would not have been enough to change the outcome. Also I doubt that all 397 votes would have gone to Jeff. 

"Of the people I talked to in Arlington, more people reacted negatively to my candidacy and lack of credentials than I heard negative comments about the other candidates. The negative feedback about the other candidates was mostly discontentment with the School Committee as a body and less about any particular individual. 

"I would like to say that the positive feedback about all the candidates far and away exceeded negative feedback. I really appreciate the encouragement I got from people who did not know me. After going through the campaign process I can say I’m very proud of living in a town that has so many wonderful people."