ith a feisty message pledging to challenge Speaker Thomas Finneran and the status quo in the House of Representatives, Frank I. Smizik defeated state Representative Ronny M. Sydney of Brookline in yesterday's Democratic primary.
Smizik, a veteran housing lawyer and vice chairman of the town's School Committee, edged Sydney 2,517 to 2,336 in one of the most hotly contested races in an otherwise low-key state primary election.
Smizik made Sydney's ties to Finneran a central issue in the race. Though the two held similar positions on issues, Smizik hammered Sydney repeatedly for voting against rules reforms that would have loosened Finneran's grip on the House. He also said that her vote last year to cut the state income tax deprived Brookline of state assistance for schools and other services.
Smizik said last night that his vow to bring an independent, progressive voice to the Legislature resonated with the town's electorate, which has a long tradition of sending outspoken liberals to the State House.
''The voters of Brookline said we want an independent representative and someone who is going to fight for not only the issues that affect the people of Brookline but statewide issues, such as housing, health care, and education,'' Smizik said.
His line of attack frequently had Sydney on the defensive, forcing her to cite issues and votes where she differed with Finneran. ''They ran a very smart campaign,'' Sydney said last night.
The race roiled the political waters in the town, with prominent Brookline voices emerging in support of each candidate. The final days of the campaign were marked by controversy, as Sydney acknowledged that a campaign brochure and ad in a local newspaper listed as supporters several residents who had in fact not endorsed her candidacy. Sydney said the mix-up resulted from ''innocent mistakes,'' but she angered Smizik by saying his endorsement lists might contain similar errors.
The race marked the second time in two years that voters have sent an incumbent packing from the Brookline seat. In 1998, Sydney narrowly defeated 14-term incumbent John Businger in the Democratic primary. Smizik drew support from the same core of liberal voters who had supported Businger. He faces no Republican opposition in the November general election.
