State Senate Race Draws Two Opponents for Fargo

Another election season brings another race for state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln. Her challengers this time include Chelmsford Republicans Eric Dahlberg and Sandi Martinez. Neither are strangers to elections.

Dahlberg, who moved with his wife four years ago from Medford to Chelmsford, is a selectman who sees himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He supports such measures as gay marriage and the woman's right to choose, but disagrees with policies and votes Fargo has made in her tenure on the Hill.

Dahlberg has spent the last few years in healthcare reform, specifically at the Massachusetts Health Connector, where he was an associate working on legislative affairs, as well as helping legislators' questions about the reform program get answered. Dahlberg, whose campaign headquarters will be on Moody Street in Waltham, left to campaign fulltime in March. Although he thought he would consult on the side while running against Fargo and Martinez, the work proved too much and he is now focusing solely on the election.

"We do meet-and-greets … as often as possible and also explicit fundraising events," said Dahlberg, adding he has also been attending events where he can shake hands all day, such as Discovery Day in Lexington.

On the surface, his campaign tactics seem like most: up early to hold signs, canvassing neighborhoods, knocking on doors, having at least 12 cups of coffee a day. But dig deeper, into the issues, and Dahlberg separates from the pack.

"I've heard time and again from Chelmsford residents: 'I reached out to my elected officials, and you got back to me, my reps got back to me, but senator didn't.' I kept hearing it," he said, angering him enough to decide to run. "I get a strong sense she doesn't get back to them when they have questions. I don't care what party you are or what the issues are that get you out of bed in the morning, the most important part of the job is getting back to your constituents."

He continued, "I'm zealously proud that, in Chelmsford, I'm the guy who always gets right back to people. It's the essence of the job. The taxpayers are collectively the boss and you have got to stay in touch with the boss."

If elected, Dahlberg said his first agenda item would be to support a measure holding the Legislature to the same standards as local cities and towns under the Open Meeting Law.

"We're making decisions about their money, it should be done [in public]," he said.

Next up, he said, he would never vote to increase the sales tax, as Fargo did, from 5 percent to 6.25 percent.

"I disagree very strongly with Fargo's vote. … It hits hard the small businesses, especially those on the New Hampshire line," he said, also noting his opposition to increase the income tax, which didn't pass, but for which Fargo voted.

"If the sales tax increase was cataclysmic, to increase the income tax would be apocalyptically bad. Voting to raise taxes in the middle of a recession is counter to everything I believe," said Dahlberg.

In an attempt to alleviate the pressure causing towns to lay off employees, especially in schools, Dahlberg said he has an idea that could save Chelmsford alone $1 million. He said if the state would allow towns and cities to control their own health insurance plans, tweaks could be made to save funds.

"In lieu of more local aid, take the handcuffs off cities and towns and let them make their decisions at home," via the Healthplan Design Authority, he said.

He believes what is holding up the change he suggested is special interest politics such as unions, but he wants voters to know he can make these changes happen.

"I was fortunate to have parents who pushed me as a kid and I was able to go to college and grad school. But I had many loans. I learned to be frugal out of necessity and I like to think that is carried over to my public service."

For Fargo, another run is necessary because of unfinished business.

"There will be a lot of turnover in the Senate this year [because of people retiring] so it's important to have continuity and to have people who know the rules," said the Lincoln Democrat who was first sworn in in 1997.

Fargo's main issues that need continued work, she said, include public health, jobs and the economy, and green business.

"I'd like to see if the investments in green alternative energy jobs can begin to move forward," explained the second-most-senior senator.

She used the recent debates on casinos as an example of her experience paying off.

"I think … we had that experience and staff to use rules effectively during debates which went on for days. Our staff worked together well. I was impressed with the quality of work during the debates and how well-prepared we were with the rules. Those often can steer debates when we're fighting strategic battles," said Fargo.

In terms of her issues, first and foremost is the economy.

"We are seeing some growth," she said, referring to an increase in revenues related directly to people being back to work and paying taxes. But, she said, "we need to create jobs in small businesses."

As chairwoman of the Public Health Committee, Fargo said she has seen "great gains" since its creation six years ago, citing a ban on tobacco in casinos.

In terms of the environment, said Fargo, "I was working on green issues before it became popular."

She said the strength in this state is brain power and innovation.

"We're really good at that," she said.

Locally in Concord, the senator has been working on legislation regarding safety at Crosby's Corner on Route 2.

"I've been working for years for Route 2 safety improvements. … The legislation is reaching finalization by July 30," she said, adding this will allow projects to move forward.

Asked what sets her apart from her opponents, Fargo said: "I know what I am doing. I get challenged for liberal attacks of loving taxes and spending and actually I have done more tax cuts," than she gets credit for. "In the '90s, I voted for 40 tax cuts totaling four billion dollars."

Fargo said she also helped craft the Senior Circuit Breaker tax cut which helps seniors save each year.

Regarding the raise in state sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, for which she voted initially, Fargo said last year, "I wound up voting against it," because assurances hadn't come through.

For her, campaigning will be the same as she has always done it: door-to-door, phone calls, being out and about.

But, she said, "Unlike my competitors, I am still working fulltime as a senator," noting, however, that she loves campaigning, "especially when I win."

Sandi Martinez did not return repeated attempts to contact her.