Dahlberg Campaigns in Concord

Eric Dahlberg said he is feeling "great" as the primary election draws to an end. Not just because he's lost 20 lbs. although he doesn't miss the extra weight.

"It's been phenomenal," said an upbeat Dahlberg at the Colonial Inn in Concord Wednesday at a fundraiser that included former Gov. Paul Cellucci and other Republican stalwarts from the area.

"We are targeting our voters, making phone calls, making lawn signs available, staying positive and on message," he said.

The Chelmsford Republican is running for the senate seat in the Third Middlesex District that includes Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Lexington (three precincts), Lincoln, Sudbury (two precincts), Waltham and Weston. His opponent in the Republican primary is Sandi Martinez of Chelmsford. The primary is Sept. 14.

Dahlberg said this run is "eerily consistent" with his 2008 campaign for selectman in Chelmsford, which he won.

"People are mad," he said. "They are mad about the economy, and jobs, and taxes." 

He said as he goes door to door, he is finding "so many people at home" that he assumed would be out of the house, just as it was two years ago.

"The trend I am hearing is a sense of unfairness," said Dahlberg.

He said on the campaign trail he hears over and over that illegal immigrants are "jumping in line," with regard to jobs and education.

"I never thought that would be such an issue," he said. "At the end of the day, immigration is a federal issue, but people say they want to cut off the spigot of services, not to be cruel but to disincentivize them."

Cellucci called Dahlberg "one of the strongest candidates for the senate" he has seen. "I think he has an excellent chance on Tuesday, and again in November," said the former governor.

"He will bring some fiscal sanity and common sense to Massachusetts," said Cellucci. "I am feeling veryy good about Eric's prospects. I've always been told to run like you are the underdog." He called for volunteers to continue calling and holding signs for Dahlberg until the last minute.

"This is a watershed election," said Cellucci. "We need to bring two-party government back to the state of Massachusetts."

Dahlberg said he wants to lower taxes, reduce spending and improve the business climate in the district.

"I haven't taken any PAC money, or lobbyists money, and I even pledged not to take a pension until I was told that it was illegal to decline a pension as a state employee," he said.

"I'll give it to charity," he quipped.

He said Sen. Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln) the current senator from the district "doesn't get back to people" when they call.

"My top priority will be to stay connected to people," said Dahlberg. "I am zealously committed to constituent services."