Massachusetts: Suffolk University

Ryan Higginson, a 27-year-old South Ender, is throwing his name in as the fourth declared candidate for state representative in the 3rd Suffolk District, to replace Sal DiMasi. Higginson, who works at Suffolk University, is active in local politics and arts; he has been involved in Mayor Menino's OneIn3 organization, among others.

Higginson opened a campaign account today, and plans to start raising money through house parties. He tells me that "I've spent much of my professional life working in community building," and that he wants to take the idea of "communities bonding together" to the State House.

It will be a tough row for him to hoe. DiMasi aide Aaron Michlewitz is off and running, as are Lucy Rivera and Susan Passoni. That's been considered a North End seat, and right now you've got one solid North Ender, and three splitting the South End/Beacon Hill parts of the district.