Long-time Hyde Park state rep could face two opponents next year

Hours after Segun Idowu announced he wants to run against longtime state Rep. Angelo Scaccia next year, Hyde Park civil-rights attorney Gretchen Van Ness announced she plans to run for the 14th Suffolk seat as well.

The news could be good for Scaccia, the candidate of Hyde Park residents happy with the way things are, as the other two split the progressive vote in the Democratic primary. The district covers Hyde Park, part of Roslindale and a small part of West Roxbury. Scaccia has represented the district since 1973, except for one two-year period in the late 1970s.

Van Ness is known for her work combating race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation discrimination. She has spent much of her career fighting to protect and preserve the rights and liberties of all Massachusetts residents, and as a state Representative, Van Ness will use her experience, knowledge, and passion to represent the people of the 14th Suffolk District in the State House.

She's a past president of the Women's Bar Association and has taught at Suffolk University Law School.