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Will Carol Doherty's state rep office stay open? Where to get help with pending issues

TAUNTON — With the recent death of State Rep. Carol Doherty constituents in her district — which is made up of parts of Taunton and parts of Easton — might be wondering where they can turn to have their issues and concerns addressed? Presently, Doherty's State House Office is still open. Matthew O'Brien, legislative aide for the Office, said he and other staff are continuing to manage constituent matters or inquiries as they slowly transition out of the office. O'Brien said they "will continue to work for the Office of the Third Bristol District managing constituent matters until such time as we find other employment or the special election is held, whichever comes first." The state's House of Representatives has to call for and schedule a special election to fill the 3rd Bristol District seat. This hasn't been done yet and, according to Debra O'Malley, Director of Communications for the Secretary of State's Office, won't be done until sometime after Doherty's funeral services have concluded. Once the special election is called, it appears it will be at least another several months before the seat is filled, based how long it has taken for other vacancies. O'Malley said when a district seat becomes vacant other officials from neighboring districts accept the responsibility of communicating and taking on those constituent affairs. Doherty, who died Saturday, Feb. 15, at the age of 82 of pancreatic cancer, had just been re-elected in November to a third two-year term representing the 3rd Bristol, which includes parts of Taunton and Easton. Here is a list of other state-level political officials that members of Doherty's district can direct their communications to: State Rep. Justin Thurber represents the 5th Bristol District, which includes Ward 1 Precinct A1, Ward 4 Precinct B1 and Ward 6 in Taunton. State Rep. Norman Orrall represents the 12th Bristol District, which includes Ward 4 Precincts A, B in Taunton. State Rep. Bridget Plouffe represents the 9th Plymouth District, which includes in Easton: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4B, and Sen. Kelly Dooner represents the 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District, which includes the entire city of Taunton. State Sen. William Driscoll represents the Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol District, which includes the entire town of Easton. O'Brien said in the event staff from the 3rd Bristol District office is gone before the special election is held, all Taunton-based inquiries will be forwarded to Dooner's office, while all Easton-based inquiries will go to Plouffe's office. Taunton — Ward 1 Precincts A, B, Ward 2, Ward 5, Ward 7 and Ward 8 Easton — Precincts 4A, 5 and 6 This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton and Easton: Will State Rep. Carol Doherty's office close?