MA Republican Candidates Speak at Western Mass. Republican Picnic

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

Republican candidates for statewide offices gathered at the Western Massachusetts Republican Picnic on Friday September 19th, speaking to an audience of approximately 150.

Among those in attendance were Karyn Polito (candidate for Lt. Governor), Brian Herr (candidate for Senate), Patricia Saint Aubin (candidate for Auditor), Michael Heffernan (candidate for Treasurer), David D’Arcangelo (candidate for Secretary of State), John Miller (candidate for Attorney General), and Michael Valanzola (candidate for Senate).

Each candidate took time to say why they would make a great candidate, grounding their argument based on their prior educational, professional and work ecperience.

Issue at Hand

Polito spoke to audience about her ideas on fixing the Commonwealth in regards to Local Aid, Homelessness, and Welfare Fraud. She spoke of the positive measures of change in the state needed to fix these problems.

Herr called for positive changes at the Federal level in his challenge to unseat the Democratic incumbent Ed Markey. Herr commented specifically on Markey’s “present” vote rather than voting yes or no on a wartime bill on Afghanistan.

Saint Aubin commented on her proper skill sets necessary to run for this position. She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and years of experience at the Bank of America as an Auditor. One of her main concerns was the compromised Department of Children and Families situation in which there were inaccuracies and omissions in information, which the department released in its reports. She also cited it for lacking auditing procedures in agencies within the department.

Heffernan - who has 30 years of experience in finance and banking - spoke about his concerns in the unfunded retirement system for state employees, which is cited as one of the worst retirement systems in the nation. He also spoke about the state being saddled with debt and its effect on local aid to communities.

D’Arcangelo questioned the Democratic Parties responses to small businesses and the negative effects that are being produced in the Commonwealth in relation to this segment of the business in the state. David spoke about the need for a smaller more limited government. He also cited that higher taxes and government regulations are killing small businesses in Massachusetts.

Miller pointed out his education at MIT and Boston University gave him the experience and the impartiality needed to lead the Commonwealth as Attorney General. John stated, “nothing is more important to me than protecting the civil rights of the Massachusetts residents and citizens.”

Valanzola pointed out the largeness of his district, running from Wales on the Connecticut border to Athol, which almost on the New Hampshire border. Valanzola described his skills as a business manager at EMC Corporation and being School Committee Chairman in the Tantasqua Regional School as the experience necessary to meet the demands of this elected position. His concerns dealt mainly with the increases in property taxes and decreases in local aid. Michael clearly pointed out in his presentation that the way to make changes in the system was to get out and vote