Hargraves not seeking re-election, backs Groton lawyer for 1st Middlesex seat
By Mary E. Arata
Nashoba Publications, October 23, 2009
GROTON -- "Holding a public office is a public trust," said state Rep. Robert Hargraves, "and I trust her. It's that simple."
That's how Hargraves described fellow Groton resident and Republican Sheila Harrington, whom he endorsed yesterday to replace him at the Statehouse.
In an interview with Harrington, Hargraves announced he will not seek re-election to the seat he has held since 1995.
Harrington, a lawyer who practices in Harvard, said she called Hargraves in July and made clear her interest in serving the 1st Middlesex District.
"I sought his advice and framed it that if at any time he was not going to seek re-election, I would wait to announce at that time," she said. "I made that very clear from the start when I approached Bob.
"I wanted advice and support," she added, "and he's been incredibly supportive."
So far, the only other announced contender for the 1st Middlesex seat is Cornelius "Connie" Sullivan, chairman of the Ayer Board of Selectmen and a lawyer practicing in Groton, who launched his candidacy in July. Sullivan, a Republican, will face Harrington in the September 2010 primary.
Harrington said she formed a strong friendship with Hargraves' niece, Nancy Catalini Chew, a fellow Harvard lawyer. The two met through the Village Theatre Project, started by Catalini Chew and her husband in Groton.
"I was a board member and my son, Tim, was active in their young theater company," said Harrington.
She laughed when Hargraves teased, "Republicans are not supposed to be in the arts."
Hargraves said he met with Harrington in July, and came away convinced she was the one to take the reins.
"I came out to Harvard. We talked for two hours or more," he said. "I just wanted to learn a few things. Not on the issues, but to get into the person. In talking to her, I know that she's fiscally conservative and socially moderate. I'm the same way -- down the middle.
"I felt that she's the right person for the job," he added. "And I'll tell you the word that she said, and it basically convinced me: She wants to 'serve,' and that sunk in."
Harrington has practiced law for 23 years, with offices primarily in Harvard and Groton. She graduated from Providence College with a bachelor's degree in social work and earned her law degree from New England School of Law in Boston.
She and her husband, Stephen, have two children, Tim, 21, and Delia, 18. Both graduated from Groton-Dunstable Regional High School.
Harrington said she is ready to serve.
"As most working women know, when your kids are still at school and living at home, you have a lot of commitments that are related to your children," she said. "But now with both children in college, I can make that time commitment."
Hargraves' annual "hoedown," next Friday night in Pepperell, will be bittersweet -- his last constituent party. He said Harrington will attend.
"I've always supported him as the state representative," said Harrington. "I've had a great deal of respect for his service."
