5 Democrats Vying To Replace Ousted Henriquez

Five Democrats have made the primary ballot in the special election to fill the seat left vacant when the Massachusetts House voted to expel former Rep. Carlos Henriquez.

The election for the 5th Suffolk District will be held April 29. The primary is scheduled for April 1.

The Democratic candidates include Evandro Carvalho, Karen Charles-Peterson, Jennifer Anne Johnson, Barry Lawton and Roy Owens, according to the state secretary's office. There had been speculation Henriquez might run again.

The House voted 146-5 vote this month to expel Henriquez.

The vote followed the conviction of the Boston Democrat of two assault charges stemming from his 2012 arrest. It marked the first time in almost a century that the House voted to expel one of its own.

Henriquez has maintained his innocence.