Meehan to become chancellor of UMass Lowell

So it looks like Congressman Meehan is leaving Congress to become the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. His nomination still needs to be approved by UMass' board of trustees but all signs point to that happening. So what does everyone think of this decision, and who do you think/want to win the seat in the special election? This list is of people that have already said they are running and is from boston.com.


Democrats:
Niki Tsongas, wife of the late US senator Paul Tsongas; state Representative Barry R. Finegold of Andover; Eileen Donoghue, the former Lowell mayor and current city councilor; state Representative James B. Eldridge of Acton; and Stephen Kerrigan, a former aide to Senator Edward M. Kennedy and to Attorney General Thomas Reilly

Republicans:
Michael Sullivan, mayor of Lawrence; Charles McCarthy, Meehan's 2002 challenger; and Donna Cuomo, a former state representative from North Andover.


tm.

Power Rankings

The National Journal has set up a ranking system [similar to espn's power rankings] for the candidates. This gives a short description of why they are in the ranking they are in, if they have moved up or down and fundraising projections for each candidate. These, just like sports power rankings are updated weekly - here are the links

Democrats

Republicans

t.mills