Simon unopposed, Dolan gets possible challenger as state deadline passes
Although it’s past time for someone else to get their name on the ballot, voters have the option of writing in another candidate.
Candidate Ravi Simon will be the only name on the ballot in his race to succeed his former boss, retiring state Rep. Carmine Gentile.
Meanwhile, Acton’s Mara Dolan may have a challenger if she wants to stay on the state Governor’s Council.
Candidates for district and county office in this year’s elections had until April 28 to file nomination papers with town clerks.
Simon filed, as did Dolan, state Rep. Simon Cataldo, state Sen. Michael Barrett, and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, according to Acton clerk’s office staffer Eleni Halepakins.
Simon, Dolan, Cataldo, Barrett, and Ryan are all Democrats.
Filing options
Candidates must gather voters’ signatures to get onto the ballot. Each clerk’s office in the 13th Middlesex House district, which includes part of Acton, confirmed that only Simon filed signatures for that race.
Although it’s past time for someone else to get their name on the ballot, voters always have the option of writing in another candidate.
Attorney David Marc Solet filed to challenge Ryan in the DA’s race.
Margie Palladino, executive director of the Mass Family Advocacy Coalition interest group, filed in the Governor’s Council race.
The Governor’s Council weighs in on gubernatorial appointments, pardons, and commutations. Dolan won her way onto the eight-person panel in 2024 by defeating longtime incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney.
Palladino donated to Dolan’s 2024 campaign, state records show, but signaled a break in comments to the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism last month after Dolan voted to confirm a judicial appointment that the Family Advocacy Coalition opposed.
Palladino hadn’t formed a committee to collect donations as of May 1, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finances. Asked about her plans, she told The Bridge, “We are still in the midst of counting certified signatures.”
Dolan spent just over $6,500 on campaign expenses in the first four months of 2026 and had nearly $15,000 on hand.
‘A lot of people’ to meet
Hopefuls have until May 26 to pass their certified paperwork on to state authorities.
Simon jumped into the race shortly after Gentile announced his retirement. Gentile endorsed Simon, who previously worked in his office.
Simon has hit the campaign trail in recent months and marched in Acton’s Patriots Day parade.
He had racked up nearly $37,000 in donations, including more than $4,700 from Acton residents as of last week.
He told The Bridge he feels “lucky” to already know the district from his tenure as a State House staffer but acknowledged that “it’s a lot of people you need to meet.”
This year’s state primary elections are set for September 1. The general election is November 3.
