[The following press release was submitted by the Lovely for Senate Campaign.]

[On May 1] eight-term Salem city councilor and attorney Joan Lovely submitted nomination signatures for State Senate to town and city clerks in Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. The law only requires 300 signatures be certified locally and then turned into the Secretary of State.

"Collecting so many signatures gave me a chance to talk to hundreds of voters at their doors and it was an honor to do so. I am appreciative of the support I have received in all five of the 2nd Essex District communities. The campaign continues to build a strong grassroots effort that gives all citizens a chance to be heard," Lovely stated.

Lovely is the only candidate in the senate race who has refused contributions from special interest groups and PACs.

"I am seeking the office of State Senator because I know first hand how critical it is to have a senator who understands what our communities are going through to deal with municipal budgets, sluggish economies, aging infrastructures and the ever increasing demands on school resources and public services. As a city councilor, I bring a keen understanding of those issues and of how actions on Beacon Hill impact our local communities for better or worse," Lovely said.

Attorney Lovely grew up in Beverly and graduated from Beverly High School in 1976. She worked as a legal secretary for Tierney, Kalis, Adamopoulos and Lucas Law Firm in Salem during the 1980s. Joan married local attorney Stephen Lovely and settled in Salem. Lovely attained a Realtor's license and worked in local offices.

While a working mother of three children, she returned to college and earned a bachelor of science degree in political science from Salem State University in 2006. She went on to Massachusetts School of Law and earned her Juris Doctorate degree in 2009. Lovely currently practices law in Salem.

Lovely entered public service organizing volunteers to repair an unsafe neighborhood playground. That successful effort led to a mayoral appointment to Salem's Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council.

Lovely was elected and served as Ward 3 City Councilor from 1998-2003. She was elected and has served as Councilor-at-Large from 2004 to the present. She is currently City Council President. She has chaired multiple council committees, including Administration & Finance, Community and Economic Development and Public Health, Safety and the Environment.

She has been an active and involved citizen serving on the Board of the Directors for the Council on Aging, Salem Main Streets and Destination Salem. Lovely has also volunteered as a North Shore Medical Center Community Ambassador and a Salem Public Schools Literacy Buddy. Lovely has received the SSU Sojourner Truth Outstanding Service Award and the North Shore Labor Council's Integrity in Public Service Award.