By George P. Hassett

State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Medford, said today in a prepared statement that his nomination papers have disappeared and he has called local police for help. He said he has filed suit in Suffolk County Superior Court to appear on the ballot for the Sept. 16 primary against challenger Robert C. Trane, an alderman in the city.

Sciortino, who has been a state rep. for four years, has not returned repeated phone calls in the last two days. Today’s release also leaves many unanswered questions.

Medford and Somerville city records show Sciortino submitted a total of 186 valid signatures, 36 more than is required, before the April 29 deadline. According to Brian McNiff, spokesman for the Secretary of State’s office Sciortino has only submitted 114 signatures to the state — 36 shy of what he needs.

The reason, according to Sciortino, is cryptic: the papers have disappeared. In today’s statement he said he has reported it to police. He did not say which police department he reported it to or when he noticed the papers were missing.

But Sciortino did release this statement: "I’ve collected ‚Äì and the cities of Medford and Somerville have certified ‚Äì more than the number of signatures required to have my name placed on the ballot. I’m looking forward to resolving this matter quickly so I can continue to focus on the issues important to my community and share what I’ve been able to accomplish in the past four years with the voters of my district."

If Sciortino is forced to run a write-in campaign against Trane, it would be the second time in four years that such a campaign was mounted in the 34th Middlesex District. After Sciortino upset incumbent Vincent Ciampa in the democratic primary for the seat in 2004, Ciampa ran an unsuccessful write in campaign during the general election.

Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan, who has endorsed Trane, said despite Sciortino’s mishap, "Democrats are fortunate to have a good solid candidate on the ballot in Bob Trane. I think we will be well served by his leadership."

Another Trane supporter, Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche, said Sciortino’s legal action to get on the ballot despite his shortage of signatures “is kind of like the dog ate my homework excuse.”