Danielle Gregoire: MA 2020 Primary Candidate Profile

MARLBOROUGH, MA — State Rep. Danielle Gregoire is facing a challenge in the Democratic primary in September for the fourth time since she first won the seat more than a decade ago.

Gregoire, 41, has represented the 4th Middlesex District — which encompasses three of the "Boros" — since 2008, except for 2010 to 2012 when Republican Steven Levy won the seat. She's running again in 2020 because she says a steady, experienced hand is needed to continue through the coronavirus crisis — which has been both a fiscal and public health calamity in the state.

Challenger Jeanne Cahill, of Northborough, says a change in representation is necessary to bring "full transparency" to local voters.

Patch has asked both Gregoire and Cahill to answer our candidate questionnaire ahead of the Sept. 1 primary to give voters a view on where they stand on local issues. Here's how Gregoire answered our questionnaire:

Danielle W. Gregoire

Education: Marlborough High School, Saint Anselm College (BA Criminal Justice), Suffolk Law (JD)
Occupation: Legislator (10 years)
Campaign website: www.votedaniellegregoire.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have been able to accomplish so many things for the residents of the district and the Commonwealth but there is always more work to do. In these times of an unprecedented global health pandemic and economic uncertainty, experienced leadership is more necessary than ever to keep Massachusetts moving forward.

How would you rate the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic on a letter-grade scale (A, B, C, D or F), and how would you explain that rating?

B. Massachusetts has been on top of the public health crisis since very early on. The Governor's swift action on stay at home advisories and business restrictions saved lives. The legislature's quick action on unemployment, housing, financial aid to small businesses, tax deadlines, vote by mail, telehealth and supplemental funds for cities and towns saved Massachusetts families from eviction, helped businesses survive uncertain times, and allowed residents to put their health above all other concerns they faced.

That having been said, we continue to work (the legislative session was extended past the traditional July 31st deadline) to ensure that funds are spent appropriately and we can continue to be proactive on all the challenges we will most certainly face as a result of this pandemic. Additionally we must ensure there is oversight and accountability for the actions that have already been put into place.

As a member of the special House COVID resiliency and recovery committee I am proud to bring the voice of MetroWest and Central Massachusetts to the forefront of our reopening efforts.

Is Chapter 40B, the state's affordable housing law, working, and if not what would you change?

Yes, to a certain degree and for a small fraction of residents. There are, however, variations from municipality to municipality in how 40B is implemented and "affordable" is still out of reach for many families. The House has taken action to reform 40B and we continue our efforts to create more flexibility for communities to do what they find appropriate (after all, Marlboro, Northborough and Westboro have very different needs than Boston, Lawrence, Springfield and New Bedford). However we MUST do more to ensure that families in ALL communities have safe, truly affordable options.

What steps, if any, should the state take toward police reform?

The state should and has taken moves toward modernization and professionalization of our policing systems. The House and Senate put forth VERY different pieces of legislation late this summer and a compromise bill has yet to be reached. I believe the House made positive steps forward in this direction while maintaining adequate protections for police officers who follow their training and do not break the law. In order to address systemic racism, the House took the lead of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus and prioritized the specific issues they had raised over the last 2 years.

We will continue our work to combat racial injustice but we must also protect the majority of police officers who follow the law, seek justice, and put their lives on the line every day to protect our citizenry.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I work diligently to manage the needs of the residents of the 4th Middlesex district and the over arching policy issues facing the Commonwealth as a whole. Both before and during the pandemic, I have been able to acquire 100s of millions of dollars for local projects for infrastructure and transportation, information technology, schools, libraries, senior centers and more. We have passed countless pieces of legislation that help our municipalities, local small businesses and residents alike.

We strike the delicate balance of addressing wide-ranging concerns like climate change and healthcare cost containment while maintaining a fiscally responsible approach that has earned Massachusetts the highest bond rating in the country and a record amount in our rainy day fund.

Additionally, I was proud to author legislation that will model for the rest of the country how best to diagnose and care for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and support their caregivers. Furthermore, a new law was signed earlier this session banning the use of flavoring in e-cigarettes. I wrote this bill with my friends at the MA Heart Association and MA Cancer Society in order to stop the predatory practices big tobacco uses on our youth.

I wake up every day with a renewed sense of obligation to the electorate to always do the right thing and to always work for the betterment of our Commonwealth. I have demonstrated my ability to lead for our residents and I look forward to continuing my work on their behalf.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a record of delivering for this district on a very wide variety of issues. There is no constituent issue too small and no task too trying to take on. I take very seriously the responsibility of representing all of the people in the district, not just those who vote for me and/or agree with me.

In these uncertain times, there is no time for on the job learning. Residents deserve a State Representative who has proven they can do the job and who has proven that they will work all day, every day to deliver results for them. Now is not the time for one issue candidates who make flowery promises they'll never be able to keep.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

See above answers. Again, I cannot overstate my commitment to fiscal responsibility, this district, and this job. I put it above everything else and my record speaks for itself.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never take anything for granted. Always ask for every single vote.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am always available to constituents to answer questions or address concerns. My personal cell phone number (508) 479-9127 has been on every piece of literature I have ever distributed and I can be reached 24/7 either on that phone or by email at gregoire07@gmail.com