By “lawn” I mean the hill near the Bourne rotary, and by “you kids” I mean off-Cape candidates for office sticking their campaign signs in among those for local candidates. Take a look sometime and you’ll see names for people running for office in and around the Norfolk County area…you know, races that Cape Cod residents know nothing about and can’t vote in.

I assume that these signs are there to catch the attention of any summer visitors who actually do live in those areas, but for candidates from other regions to clutter our landscape with their signs is rather obnoxious.

***

It seems that no race is safe from a little nastiness, not even the race for state auditor.

Yes: state auditor.

Last week the Boston Globe reported that Democrat Guy W. Glodis, the current Worcester County sheriff, failed to report the true source of a $20,000 no-interest loan he received in 2004. He’d claimed in state ethics commission filings that Robert J. Zannotti of Shrewsbury wrote his the check for that loan, but Zannotti said during a 2008 federal trial the money actually came from Amit Mathur.

The problem is that Mathur got his money bilking investors, and is now sitting in the pokey serving a 10-year sentence. State law requires candidates who receive loans for their campaigns to report the original source of the money, not a “go-between.”

Mr. Glodis maintains he did nothing wrong since the check was written by Mr. Zannotti (who now lives in Mashpee, FYI) and came from his personal account.

Curiously, days after receiving that loan, Mr. Glodis lent his campaign fund for sheriff $20,000. He’s declined to disclose the precise source of that money.

His rivals in the primary, Suzanne M. Bump and Michael E. Lake, have both blasted Mr. Glodis for this revelation. Ms. Bump has called upon Glodis to “come clean” (cripes, there’s that phrase again) about the money, and Mr. Lake has accused Glodis of playing a “fiscal shell game.”

***

Speaking of nastiness, the sniping continues between Democratic candidates for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District William R. Keating and State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable).

Last week I mentioned that Sen. O’Leary ranked among the five senators with the worst attendance in the 2010 session (he missed 22 out of 227 roll call votes). No surprise, Mr. Keating pounced on that tidbit, giving his rival grief for holding down two part-time teaching jobs at state-backed institutions (the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Cape Cod Community College), and Keating proposed a ban on teachers at state educational institutions from serving in the Legislature.

Sen. O’Leary retaliated by chiding Mr. Keating for working as the Norfolk County district attorney while also collecting early retirement benefits through the state.

“Keating, who voted to give himself early retirement, and thinks it’s OK to collect that early pension while his constituents are also paying his salary as a Congressman, is attacking me for having a no-tenure, no-benefits, no-pension part time job as a teacher when I’ve been a teacher for 35 years and have a 98 percent (lifetime) voting record in the Senate?” Sen. O‘Leary said in a press release. “The hypocrisy is astounding, but the implicit insult to teachers is even worse.”

***

On different note, Mr. Keating last week scored two rather significant endorsements, first from the Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy organization.

But the big one is an endorsement from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, which is being a little stingy with the endorsements this year because of the casino bill, which got hung up over language whether to also allow racinos in the state.

However, a few other folks have indeed received the AFL-CIO’s blessing, including William F. Galvin, incumbent Democratic candidate for Secretary of the Commonwealth; Martha Coakley, incumbent Democratic candidate for Massachusetts Attorney General; Steve Grossman, Democratic candidate for state treasurer; and Sheila R. Lyons, Democratic candidate (sensing a trend here?) for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District.

***

A quick side note: the AFL-CIO has also taken official positions against all three questions on the November ballot: proposals to reduce the state sales tax to three percent, to do away with the sales tax on alcohol, and to get rid of Chapter 40B, the state’s affordable housing law.

I normally don’t jump on-board with tax cut proposals, simply because they feel like empty promises designed to attract voters, but in this case I thin the AFL-CIO is off-base. To echo a comment from one of my recent interviews, I don’t think the state has been the best steward of our tax money lately, so I don’t feel at all inclined to let them keep more of it.

***

Sen. O’Leary is holding a fundraiser rally on Wednesday evening. That’s at Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Hyannis and runs from 5 to 7 PM.

Diane Parvin, Roberta Duane, Helen Bresnahan, Linda Edson, and the Committee to Elect Rob O’Leary host the event, which comes with a $15 admission charge. RSVP to Jon Patsavos at 508-534-9956 or patsavos@olearyforcongress.com.

In other O’Learyish news, he last week received the endorsement of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters.

***

State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) has received endorsements for his Congressional campaign from the Republican National Committeeman and Republican National Committeewoman for Massachusetts, Ron Kaufman and Judy Dow, respectively.

Of course, since Joseph D. Malone can’t let Rep. Perry sneeze without calling shenanigans, the Kaufman endorsement has come under fire since, according to the Malone camp, Mr. Kaufman is a lobbyist for Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.

Malone is trying to draw a straight line between Chavez and Perry to devalue this endorsement, which doesn’t quite work; Kaufman is, more precisely, a lobbyist for Citgo, the US subsidiary of the parent corporation, which is owned and operated by the Venezuelan government, which Chavez controls.

And, of course, a young Chavez co-starred in “Footloose” with Kevin Bacon.

***

Guy A. Carbone, one of two Republicans running a write-in campaign for Massachusetts Attorney General, has launched his campaign website at http://carboneforag.com.

I can’t help but feel that this gent, along with fellow Republican write-in candidate James P. McKenna, are wasting their time. Write-in campaigns for major seats have been successful, but they are very much the exception rather than the rule; by choosing not to run full and proper campaigns, these men start off with significant handicaps.

The fact that they’re both Republicans doesn’t help at all, either, since they’ll likely split the anti-Coakley voters.

***

This week’s event reminders:

Mr. Grossman will be at Four Seas in Centerville from 5 to 6 PM this evening.

Daniel A. Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District invites the public to “Howl for Dan Wolf” at the Cotuit Art Center on Sunday. That event, featuring comedian Jimmy Tingle, runs from 8 to 10 PM.

William Zammer is hosting at his Flying Bridge restaurant a fundraiser for David T. Vieira, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Third Barnstable District. That is scheduled for Sunday, September 12 from 4 to 6 PM. Donations will be accepted at the door.

James F. Munafo Jr., Republican candidate for State Representative of the Second Barnstable District, invites supporters to a “FUNdraiser” in support of his campaign. Join Mr. Munafo at Sandwich Mini-Golf on Route 6A in Sandwich for the “Vote Munafo Mini-Golf Tournament” on Sunday, September 12. The tourney runs from 4 to 7 PM. E-mail votemunafo@integrity.com to reserve a spot in the tournament. Cost is $10.

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding a pasta supper fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Sandwich on Saturday, September 25 starting at 6 PM; a golf tourney fundraiser at Holly Ridge on Sunday, October 3 starting at 8:20 AM; and “Pizza & Politics with Pizzazz” at Two Brothers Pizza & Mexican in Sandwich on Monday, October 11 at 5:30 PM.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

Yep, there was a lot of movement last week, and let’s start with what is shaping up to be the big race on the Cape, the race for US Representative of the 10^th Congressional District. On Sunday Republican Joseph D. Malone made his candidacy official with a special kick-off event at Plimoth Plantation. The former state treasurer has vowed to reach out to voters of all political persuasions in his campaign.

His official campaign website is up at http://joemalonecongress.com.

With Mr. Malone all in, we now have a slate of six candidates, and we’re waiting on a seventh in William Keating, the Norfolk County District Attorney who has been planning to formally end his bid for Massachusetts Attorney General and shift his attention to the seat currently held by Congressman (and former Norfolk County DA) William D. Delahunt (D).

***

One of the other Republican candidates for the Congressional seat, State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich), is beefing up his campaign in anticipation of a very active primary race.

Rep. Perry recently announced he was adding Swift Current Strategies — which worked on US Senator Scott P. Brown’s (R) campaign — to his team, and launched a new social networking website for supporters dubbed “Perry’s Patriots.” You can find that at www.perryspatriots.com (just look for the logo that is just similar enough to the New England Patriots logo to get him in dutch with Bob Kraft).

Perry's Patriot and Pat the Patriot - separated at birth?

***

Another candidate in this hectic race is State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable), and his pending departure from the state Legislature has so far attracted three Democrats interested in succeeding him: Sheila R. Lyons, a member of the Barnstable County Board of County Commissioners; Mark D. Forest, longtime aide to Rep. Delahunt; and Daniel A. Wolf, CEO of Cape Air.

Mr. Wolf is well-known in the Cape business community so he’s not a non-entity, but his political experience is, to the best of my knowledge, virtually non-existent. Ms. Lyons has had relatively limited experience, all of it in county government, but she knows how to campaign and get her name out. Mr. Forest knows the game at the federal level and has connections throughout the district, so I have to call him the odds-on favorite.

Barnstable and Mashpee readers can learn more about the candidates in the front section.

So far only one Republican, Eric Steinhilber, is in the mix, but word is that Barnstable Town Councilor James Crocker Jr. has taken out nomination papers.

Since I’m talking about this race, now’s a good time to mention that Ms. Lyons, Mr. Forest, and Mr. Wolf are scheduled to appear at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Harwich Democratic Town Committee. That’s happening on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:30 PM, and will be held at the Harwich Community Center.

***

The slate is almost full!

State Representative Susan D. Williams Gifford (R – Wareham) was this close to running unopposed for re-election, but Democrat David A. Smith of Wareham is preparing his run for the second Plymouth district seat.

I’ve found no info on the dude in my initial Google search, but as I learn more about the chap, I’ll pass it along.

As I wrap this week’s column up, the only member of the Cape delegation without an opponent for 2010 is State Representative Timothy R. Madden (D – Nantucket).

***

Last week I mentioned that Republican David T. Vieira of Falmouth was officially in as a candidate for state representative of the third Barnstable district. Well, first of all, his campaign website is now live, and that’s at www.votevieira.com. He’s also announced his kick-off fundraiser at the Falmouth Navigator (just off Sandwich Road in Hatchville) for Thursday, May 6 from 5 PM to 8 PM. Tickets are $25.

Meanwhile, incumbent state rep Matthew C. Patrick (D – Falmouth) is officially kicking off his re-election campaign tonight. Rep. Patrick, supporters, and special mystery guests will be at Oysters Too in East Falmouth tonight from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. There is a suggested donation of $50, but all are welcome to attend.

***

Oliver P. Cipollini Jr., Democratic candidate for governor’s councilor of the first district, has his new campaign website up and hummin’. Beat feet over to www.olivercipollini.com and check it out.

***

An unenrolled candidate has thrown his name into the ring for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. James Henderson of Stow filed his paperwork with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and now joins incumbent William F. Galvin and Republican William Campbell of Woburn.

***

Now this, I must say, is kind of cool.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles D. Baker Jr. marked St. Patrick’s Day in an unusual way: People who went to his website last week and made a donation of $20.10 (as in Campaign 2010) received as a thank-you a download of “(F)lanagan’s Ball” by the Dropkick Murphys.

The Dropkick Murphys? Really? How unexpectedly hip of Baker. What next, Christy P. Mihos trading donations for Foo Fighters MP3s?

On that note: those two gentlemen will square off tonight at the Cape Codder Resort. This head-to-head debate starts at 7 PM (doors open at 6:15 PM, presumably to sell beer, popcorn, and giant foam fingers). The Cape Cod Republican Club and the Women’s Republican Club of Cape Cod are co-sponsoring the event.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

This means the race is officially a free-for-all and it’s anyone’s game. Rep. Delahunt, had he run, would have had the incumbent’s advantage — a combination of money, familiarity, influence in government, and a track record even his critics would agree was generally positive (I won’t say perfect, because perfection doesn’t exist in life, much less in politics).

For the Big Two Parties, the 10th Congressional district is now a key battleground. The Democrats will be desperate to hold onto the seat (they’re still stinging from US Senator Scott P. Brown’s (R) victory), and the Republicans will be eager to claim another federal seat in Blue State Massachusetts.

Both sides are going to be courting voters hard and heavy in the coming months, trying to influence what is a very weighty decision. Voters this year will have to give some serious thought to who they want representing them in Congress during an exceptionally volatile period; whoever gets in will be the New Kid on the Block and will have to work his way up from the mailroom, metaphorically speaking, so the district will need someone who can hit the ground running and isn’t afraid to make some noise.

Right now the choices are State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable), who confirmed his candidacy last week immediately after Rep. Delahunt’s announcement; Republicans Donald A. Hussey, Ray Kasperowicz, State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich), and Joseph D. Malone (who confirmed his candidacy this week after several weeks of hemming and hawing); and unenrolled candidate Peter A. White.

Expect that list to grow, particularly on the Democrat side of things.

***

On a very related note, as I mentioned above, Sen. O’Leary is now running for US Representative for the 10th Congressional district, which means his state senate seat is now open. To date there is only one definite candidate for the post, Barnstable Republican Eric Steinhilber.

Several names have emerged as possible candidates. Mark D. Forest, Rep. Delahunt’s ever-reliable aide, Daniel Wolf, owner and CEO of Cape Air, and Barnstable County Commissioner Sheila V. Lyons are all considering running.

Paul J. Neidzwiecki, executive director of the Cape Cod Commission, denied rumors he was in the mix. State Representative Sarah K. Peake (D – Provincetown), once mentioned as a possible candidate, is sticking with her state rep post, and Sen. O’Leary’s long-time aide Susan Rohrbach denied she’s running to succeed her boss.

A historical note: Sen. O’Leary was elected to his current post in 2000 during a frenzied special selection process sparked by then-State Senator Henri S. Rauschenbach’s surprise September announcement he would not run for re-election in order to take a job with the state.

Mr. Rauschenbach had already won the primary race, so the Cape Cod Republican Committee was tasked with finding a replacement candidate. That replacement was Edward B. Teague III, a former state representative and – time to start connecting some crazy dots – the man who Rep. Delahunt defeated to win his first term.

Edward D. Lamperti of Eastham was lined up as the Democratic candidate, but he also withdrew. He at first cited an inability to meet the time commitments of the job, but later revealed that Cape Democrats had pressured him to withdraw so they could recruit a more viable candidate: then-county commissioner O’Leary, who had, no foolin’, challenged Mr. Rauschenbach for state senate in 1988.

Bonus fact: when Sen. O’Leary won, he became the first Democrat to hold that senate seat in 140 years.

***

Also related to this wacky game of political musical chairs: despite some rumors to the contrary, Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth) is not running for Congress, and is instead laying the groundwork for a Senate re-election campaign.

“I am humbled by the overwhelming support and encouragement I have received since my name came up as a possible candidate for the Massachusetts 10th Congressional seat,” Sen. Murray said. “My commitment and focus, however, remain on the people of my district and the Massachusetts Senate. I have dedicated my entire career in the state Senate to being a voice for my constituents and making real change on Beacon Hill. That is what I will continue to do.”

Thomas F. Keyes of Sandwich has announced his plans to run for state senator of the Plymouth and Barnstable district, making him the first and so far only potential challenger to Sen. Murray.

***

And yet another local campaign is off and running (pun intended)!

State Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis (D – Barnstable) held a “Kick the Winter Blues Gathering” campaign fundraiser in Hyannis Monday, to support his bid for a seventh term in office. So far he has only one prospective opponent in Republican James F. Munafo Jr., a Barnstable town councilor.

***

Oliver P. Cipollini Jr. is taking another shot for governor’s council. The Marstons Mills Democrat challenged incumbent and fellow Dem Carole A. Fiola in 2008 in the primary, and though Mr. Cipollini took the Cape with 44 percent of the vote (he took 13 out of 15 towns), he fell short overall; Ms. Fiola received 67 percent of the vote throughout her district and was unchallenged in the general election.

Ms. Fiola recently announced that she is not running for re-election this year as governor’s councilor of the first district.

Mr. Cipollini is prepping a new campaign website at www.olivercipollini.com, and I’ll let you know when that’s fully up and running.

He joins a small but growing field of candidates. Democrat Walter Moniz of New Bedford made his presence known last week, and this week I received an announcement from Democrat Jeffrey T. Gregory of Fall River, a retired police sergeant, that he too would be running.

***

A Woburn Republican has thrown his hat in the ring for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. William Campbell filed his paperwork with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and is at present the only person in line to challenge incumbent William F. Galvin.

Mr. Campbell has a very tough race on his hands. Mr. Galvin does some truly excellent work and his office, which I deal with regularly, is very responsive and helpful. When you do a great job, it’s tough to get kicked out.

I’m on vacation next week, so I’d like to ask all the politicians out there to hold off on doing anything huge until I get back, ‘kay? Thanks.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net