Torrisi Gets Primary Challenge

State Re. David Torrisi may be keeping an eye on the Republican side of the Essex 14th District race. But now he has something to look out for on his own side.

Former legislative aide Diana DiZoglio of Methuen has announced she will run for Torrisi's seat in a Democratic primary race against him.

If you follow Beacon Hill politics, DiZoglio may already have name recognition with you.

Last year, when DiZoglio was a legislative aide for State Rep. Paul Adams of Andover, she found herself engulfed in scandal amid accusations of engaging in sexual activity in the House Chamber with State Rep. Mark Cusack after an office party in the building.

An investigation by House Speaker Robert DeLeo determined no wrongdoing. But DiZoglio left her job a few month later.

Torrisi has held the Essex 14th seat since 1999. Recently,

Recent redictricting may make reelection may be more of a challenge for Torrisi. Torrisi won reelection in this seat in 2010 but only got 47 percent of the vote in North Andover. His Lawrence electorate helped him hold onto the seat last year, but the formation of a new Latino district as part of a goal to increase minority-majority districts could make him more vulnerable.

The Essex 14th, which included parts of North Andover and much of Lawrence, will now include parts of the Bradford section of Haverhill as well as Methuen as well. And the district will include fewer parts of Lawrence than before. Methuen and Bradford brought big gains for Republican Lyons in 2010, and Torrisi lost support in North Andover.