Winter Hill Progressive Democrat Announces Candidacy for Sciortino’s Seat

Christine Barber, a resident of Somerville’s Winter Hill neighborhood, has pulled nomination papers to run for State Rep. Carl Sciortino’s seat, according to a recent release from her campaign.

“Rep. Sciortino leaves big shoes to fill, and I am grateful for his leadership on the progressive values we share,” she said in a statement.

Barber is a leader in Progressive Democrats of Somerville and a policy analyst at a national healthcare advocacy organization.

“I have worked for a number of years to create policies that provide people with access to healthcare and to curb healthcare costs while improving quality,” she said.

Sciortino announced last week that he is resigning, effective Friday, April 4, from his 34th Middlesex District seat in the state House of Representatives to become the executive director of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.

Sciortino, 35, has held the office, which represents parts of Medford and Somerville, for nine years.