Lawrence state Rep. William Lantigua and former city councilor Carlos Matos had a bit of a falling out in 2005. Now it appears the split between the two men is complete.
Lantigua had been Matos’ campaign manager in his 2005 run for mayor. But after Matos finished third in the primary and was out of the running, he threw his support to candidate Marcos Devers. Lantigua supported incumbent Mayor Michael Sullivan, who ended up being re-elected.
Now, Matos is running again for an at-large seat on the City Council. And who should show up at City Hall to take out papers for one of the same at-large seats but another Carlos Matos — accompanied by none other than state Rep. Lantigua.
Carlos R. Matos is a political newcomer who told reporter Mark Vogler he just wants to help the city. And Lantigua says he’s just trying to help a constituent launch a political career.
Carlos D. Matos, however, is steamed. He says Lantigua is trying to deep-six his campaign by confusing voters.
I don’t know if “Carlos Matos” is as common a name as say, “Ken Johnson” (there are three of me in the newspaper business in eastern Massachusetts alone).
But it sure is a gosh-darned strange coincidence that Willie Lantigua is helping another Carlos Matos run for office against his old pal.
