State Rep. Race Heats Up

The fall elections are 79 days away, but the candidates for the state representative seat in the Eight Essex District are beginning to differentiate themselves as campaigning picks up steam.

Voters will have a choice between the incumbent, Democrat Lori Ehrlich, and a political newcomer, Republican Kate Kozitza.

Kozitza, a Swampscott psychiatrist, said she was motivated to run for office because of her frustrating experience as a physician in private practice dealing with "red tape and bureaucracy" in the healthcare system, and a need for "checks and balances" in state government.

Ehrlich, first elected in a special election in 2008 and subsequently voted to a full term, said she takes pride in her previous work as a co-founder of two environmental organizations, her life-long ties to Swampscott and Marblehead and her work passing bills on bullying, texting-while-driving and reforming the now disbanded Turnpike Authority.

A certified public accountant, who also holds a master's degree in public administration, Ehrlich has established herself as an environmental advocate with a long track record of fighting the Salem power plant.

But Kozitza charges that Ehrlich is also an "entrenched" Democrat who votes "in lockstep" with House Speaker Robert DeLeo, the Winthrop representative who took over the speaker's job last year when the previous speaker, Sal DiMasi of Boston, resigned in the wake of a federal corruption indictment.

"I will not vote in lockstep with Speaker DeLeo, as my opponent does," Kozitza said.

She said Ehrlich has voted 97 percent of the time with DeLeo, a figure she said was provided by searching public records. 

Ehrlich could not confirm the 97 percent figure cited by Kozitza, but said it is likely elevated by procedural votes and quorum calls.

She also noted that she voted against DeLeo and her party on at least one major issue -- the decision last year to give the governor power to appoint an interim replacement to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

"I didn't do it quietly," Ehrlich said. "I was not happy with it coming across as political expediency."

Ehrlich said she votes on each issue based on what is good public policy and good for her constituents.

"My decades-long history of involvement will continue to define me, without engaging in negative political rhetoric," Ehrlich said.

Big issues on the table

While Kozitza cited Ehrlich's vote last year to increase the sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, Ehrlich said the tax increase was necessary to prevent a doubling of tolls affecting North Shore commuters into Boston or the levying of a gas tax.

"What we need are legislators who promote small businesses and make Massachusetts taxes competitive with other states," Kozitza said. "Our Democratic legislature has not done this."

With state pension reform as a big issue identified by both candidates, Kozitza has proposed raising the retirement age of state employees from 55 to 60 and eliminating what she called "over-generous payouts."

At the beginning of the 2009-2010 legislative session, lawmakers passed several measures to tackle pension reform, ethics reform and transportation reform.

"Those were all packages I worked on," Ehrlich said. "I look forward to applying my policy skills and financial skills to reforming state government if elected to a second term."

Other issues that could play a big role in the November election include education funding, healthcare costs and the economy. With the state unemployment rate still stuck on 9 percent, job creation will continue to be at the forefront.

Ehrlich recently voted to approve casinos and slots in the state, which was vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick, calling her vote a way to create jobs and generate state revenue.

Kozitza, who was critical of the provision in the bill to restrict bidding for slots to the racetracks, said lower taxes will help businesses to create jobs.

The State Primary is Tuesday, September 14, 2010.  The Polls will be open from 7:00AM to 8:00PM.

Marblehead residents will vote in the primary for governor, state auditor, state treasurer and a Republican candidate to run against Congressman John Tierney. 

The last day to register to vote is Wednesday, August 25, 2010.  On Tuesday, November 2, Marblehead will cast its votes for either Ehrlich or Kozitza for State Representative and Sen. Tom McGee of Lynn or Republican Christopher Dent of Nahant.