Atkins doesn’t vote for DiMasi

By Jim O’Sullivan

Wed Jan 07, 2009, 03:30 PM EST

Acton, Mass. – House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, embattled by ethics investigations but insistent he plans to stick to his policy agenda, was reelected Wednesday to a third full term as the leader of the House by a broad margin, taking 85 percent of the vote.

Eight Democrats — including state Rep. Cory Atkins, who represents Concord and portions of Acton and Chelmsford — withheld backing for the North End Democrat, joined by 16 Republicans, in the most closely watched leadership vote since DiMasi was elected in 2004.

The House Democratic caucus earlier in the day nominated DiMasi by a wide margin on a voice vote, with only one audible dissent. Rep. David Torrisi, who last week told the News Service he would withhold support, did not stand and applaud DiMasi after his speech.

The Democrats who voted “present” rather than for DiMasi were: Torrisi, Atkins, D-Concord, Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, Thomas Calter, D-Kingston, Stephen Canessa, D-Fall River, John Quinn, D-Dartmouth, and Thomas Stanley, D-Waltham. Dissenting votes sent murmurs through the chamber. Rep. William Greene, D-Billerica, voted for himself.

A shadow of doubt has haunted DiMasi’s leadership for several months, even as he remains personally popular among members. A close associate has been indicted on 10 different counts related to alleged violations of the lobbying laws, with Attorney General Martha Coakley charging that Richard Vitale had secret and direct communication with the speaker over legislation that the House approved but which died in the Senate.

Vitale’s arraignment, scheduled for this past Monday, was postponed until next Monday and the full details of the case put together by prosecutors have yet to emerge.

DiMasi choked up during his acceptance speech in caucus and said his difficulties over the last few months have revealed to him how many friends he had in the House chamber, as many stopped by his office to offer support.

“I found out that I had a lot of friends,” DiMasi said, his voice thick, during an alternately joking and emotional speech in the Gardner Auditorium caucus.

“I grew up thinking that everybody was going to love me,” DiMasi said. “I’ve come to the realization that that’s never going to happen.”

http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/x497781219/Atkins-doesnt-vote-for-DiMasi