WHY AM I RUNNING?
We need an alternative voice on Beacon Hill. The Republican Caucus in the House (and the GOP caucus in the Senate as well) do an excellent job of articulating alternatives to the free-spending, taxing, and self-dealing ways of the majority party, but in order to move major beneficial legislation (and to stop damaging legislation that enjoys the support of the current majority) we need more Republican votes in the House.
Here in my own district major decisions such how to carry out needed repairs to Storrow Drive without unduly disrupting access to the Esplanade -- one of Boston's premiere venues for arts, entertainment, and recreation as well as a major tourist destination cradled between the Charles River and a residential neighbor -- and to do it in a timely and cost effective manner are not decisions I want to leave to the same Democratic majority in the State House that brought us the Big Dig!
Recently, within blocks of the State House, a Beacon Hill resident was robbed on the street by a roaming armed gang of thugs who are still at large and presumed to be operating in the area. Public safety is concern in every neighborhood of the Third Suffolk District.
Public confidence in the State Legislature is low and with each new revelation of another sweet-heart pension deal for a politically-connected worker, another proposal to raise yet another tax, and another federal corruption indictment confidence plummets.
WE NEED AN ALTERNATIVE VOICE ON BEACON HILL.
WHAT DO I EXPECT TO ACCOMPLISH?
I expect to win. Historically special elections have been significantly more favorable to Republicans in this Commonwealth than have the regularly scheduled elections. The seat is now open due to the resignation, under a cloud, of the former Democratic incumbent. There are already four Democrats in the race -- whoever wins that primary will be badly bruised and at least some supporters of losing Democratic candidates will fail to fall in line and support the winner. There is also an un-enrolled (independent) candidate, so we are looking at a likely three-way race in the final election. None of the candidates have held office before and none can claim more name recognition than I. In the compressed calendar of a special election I can win this race.
