Vargas Kicks Off Second Term Campaign Efforts in Haverhill

Rep. Andy X. Vargas. (Jay Saulnier file photograph for WHAV News.)

Rep. Andy X. Vargas addresses supporters as he formally announces his bid for re-election. (Jay Saulnier photograph for WHAV News.)

Andy Vargas is ready for round two. Elected to the House of Representatives in November during the special election to replace 3rd Essex District’s Brian S. Dempsey, the former city councilor kicked off his re-election campaign Thursday at downtown’s Barking Dog Ale House.

More than 150 donors and supporters gathered to back Vargas, including Rep. Linda Dean Campbell and Haverhll city councilors Melinda E. Barrett and Thomas J. Sullivan.

As he pursues a second term, Vargas hopes his Beacon Hill track record will speak for itself. Since his election, the freshman representative has filed legislation on net neutrality and is efforting bills that address student nutrition and grade level reading, among others.

Much of the legislation has been bipartisan, said Vargas.

“A lot of what I’ve filed has been bipartisan,” he told WHAV. “It just goes to show that our politics doesn’t have to be as cynical or partisan as many make it out to be.”

While his day job keeps him on Beacon Hill, Vargas told WHAV he’s excited to start canvassing in Haverhill.

“I think I’ve made it a point since getting into office to speak not only with the voters that helped me get here, but especially the voters who disagreed and maybe didn’t vote for me during the election, because those perspectives are just as important to hear while we’re here on Beacon Hill,” he said.