13 contests in Central Mass. Senate, House seats challenged.

• Position: NEWS

Byline: John J. Monahan

The following correction was published May 3, 2008:

Kurt Hayes of Boxboro is running for state representative in the 37th Middlesex District. Because of an editor's error, his name was not included in a chart in the Telegram & Gazette Thursday.

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The races for state legislative seats got under way in earnest yesterday with the close Tuesday of the candidate nominating process. Central Massachusetts voters will decide 10 contests for state representative and choose three new state senators in primaries and this fall's general election.

Nine area state legislators face no opponent, while three incumbent senators - Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre; Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge; and Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester - are seeking re-election without opposition.

Contests have emerged in each of the three Senate seats opening up, with decisions by Sen. Pamela P. Resor, D-Acton; Sen. Edward M. Augustus, D-Worcester; and Sen. Robert A. Antonioni, D-Leominster, choosing not to seek re-election.

In the Second Worcester District contest, two Democrats, Leicester Selectman Douglas A. Belanger and Millbury Selectman Michael O. Moore, will face off in a September primary, with the winner going on to a three-way final election with Republican John I. Lebeaux, a Shrewsbury selectman, and Green Rainbow Party candidate Steven Baer of Shrewsbury.

An incumbent Democratic state representative from Leominster will face off in a primary against a former Democratic state representative from Gardner in the Worcester-Middlesex Senate race, in which there is no Republican challenger. Rep. Jennifer L. Flanagan of Leominster is running against former Rep. Brian A. Knuuttila of Gardner in that contest.

Rep. James B. Eldridge, D-Acton, will face Republican Steven L. Levy, a Marlboro city councilor, for the Middlesex Worcester District Senate seat.

Reps. Lewis B. Evangelidis, R-Holden; Stephen L. DiNatale, D-Fitchburg; George N. Peterson Jr., R-Grafton; John V. Fernandes, D-Milford; Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury; James J. O'Day, D-West Boylston; Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester; John J. Binienda, D-Worcester; and Jennifer M. Callahan, D-Sutton, are all unopposed for re-election.

But there are plenty of other...