State Rep. Candidate Dan
Ryan announcing his
candidacy at an event last
weekend.
Over the past weekend, Dan Ryan, a longtime Charlestown activist, made public his intention to run for state representative representing the Second Suffolk District. Gene O’Flaherty has held this seat for an extended period.
According to Ryan, “It’s an honor to be in a position to run for State Representative, a role that will allow me to build upon my record of service on behalf of the good people of Chelsea and Charlestown. With a short window to Election Day, I intend to hit the pavement day and night in an effort to meet as many residents of the district as possible. I look forward to going door-to-door to earn the votes of my neighbors, discuss issues and set our priorities.”
Throughout his life, Ryan has called Charlestown home. He and his spouse, Kara Segal-Ryan, are raising three children there. His professional background includes a decade spent as a district office aide to Congressman Mike Capuano in his local office, preceded by four years working in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office. Before joining Congressman Capuano’s team, Ryan worked for 10 years at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club, where he served as director of the Teen Center and as program coordinator for the Healthy Charlestown Coalition.
Multiple boards and community organizations benefit from Ryan’s service and participation.
“This is going to be a grassroots campaign across the district,” he said. “My passion for public service does not stop on the Tobin Bridge.”
Sufficient signatures have already been collected by Ryan’s campaign to secure his place on the ballot, according to recent reports.
When Ryan previously competed in a 2006 special election for Boston District City Council, he came up short but made waves by capturing close to 95 percent of Charlestown’s vote despite expectations of lower participation levels.
The Second Suffolk District encompasses Charlestown and sections of Chelsea, with a special primary election scheduled for March 4.