Carl Sciortino

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Carl M. Sciortino, Jr., commonly known as Carl Sciortino, is an American politician from Massachusetts. A Democrat, he is a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the 34th Middlesex district. The district includes parts of Medford and Somerville.

[edit] 2004 election

Sciortino was first elected to the house in 2004, defeating sixteen-year incumbent Democrat Vincent Ciampa in a bitter contest. The 34th Middlesex district is heavily Democratic and the primary election is the key contest. In 2004, Sciortino defeated Ciampa in the Democratic primary by just 93 votes - 51% to 49%. Ciampa, an opponent of same-sex marriage, faced Sciortino, who is openly gay.

Having defeated Ciampa in the primary, Sciortino faced no Republican opponent in the general election; his being the only name on the ballot. However, Ciampa launched a write-in campaign to hold on to his seat, triggering a rematch of the primary election fought just months earlier. Ciampa received 4,254 write-in votes but Sciortino, with 8,889, defeated him by more than two-to-one.

[edit] In the legislature

In the General Court, Sciortino serves on the committees for Transportation; Public Health; and Community Development and Small Business.

A graduate of Tufts University, Sciortino is openly gay and his 2004 campaign was supported by both MassEquality and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. He was re-elected unopposed in 2006.