The co-chairs of the Ward 15 Democratic Committee sent the following letter to Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo on January 21, 2014:

Dear Speaker DeLeo:

We are writing as residents of the Fifth Suffolk District and as co-chairs of the Democratic Committee of Ward 15, seven of whose nine precincts are in the Fifth Suffolk. The other two precincts are located in the 13th Suffolk, the seat formerly held by Mayor Martin Walsh. At present, the entire district and its approximately 40,000 residents are without representation in the House.

We ask that you do everything in your power to allow for a Special Election, to ensure that the Fifth Suffolk continues to have a voice in the House of Representatives, while matters regarding Rep. Carlos Henriquez are resolved in the courts.

This is an urgent time for district residents, as there are many pressing issues -- crime, education, housing, jobs -- that need to be addressed. We are concerned that, for the entire year, the residents of the Fifth Suffolk will have no champion in the House to advocate for these concerns during critical policy and budget discussions and debates.

Therefore, we respectfully ask for your assistance in moving swiftly to address this matter, so that this ward and House district will not have to wait until January 2015 for an elected representative to take office, but will be guaranteed representation in the House during this calendar year.

Sincerely yours,

Winston H. Richie, Co-Chair Eileen Boyle, Co-Chair
Ward 15 Democratic Committee Ward 15 Democratic Committee