Readers of this space were not surprised to learn that one of the founding leaders of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville, Rebekah Gewirtz, is challenging Ward 6 Alderman John M. “Jack” Connolly.  Nor will they bee surprised as more progressive candidates for city offices announced similar bids.

From the ashes of the lamentable Robert-Reich-for-Governor campaign, the city’s progressives have methodically built the strongest political organization in Somerville. 

They have twice competed successfully in the Democratic Ward Committee caucuses for delegates to their party’s state conventions.

In the Sept. 14 Democratic State Primary, their candidate Avi Green beat incumbent State Rep. Timothy J. Toomey Jr. inside the city limits, which brought Green within 500 votes of taking Toomey down.

The progressives’ other candidate in that primary was, of course, Carl M. Sciortino Jr., who defeated the 16-year incumbent Vincent P. Ciampa.

When Ciampa launched his sticker campaign for the General Election it had all the suspense of the Red Sox World Series sweep.

Few expected that. Not us, and certainly not the mayor who personally rousted supported from barstools and couches to vote for Ciampa.

If the progressives ever feared the mayor’s opposition, they have no reason to fear him now. Especially after they pitched that shutout in Ward 5.

Isn’t it interesting that at the moment the mayor has taken control of the city’s police force with allies running both the patrolmen’s union and department itself, he is in severe danger of losing control of his party? 

In the coming months, we look forward to watching this drama unfold.  Too bad the mayor has no challenger—now that would really make the next political season fun.