MARLBOROUGH- Speaking to nearly a hundred supporters and locally elected officials, Marlborough City Councilor Matt Elder officially kicked off his campaign for State Representative last week.
Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, EBT reforming State Representative Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) as well as several city councilors and a School Committee member were in attendance as Elder spoke to the crowd about his goals on Beacon Hill, as well as his humble beginnings when he first ran for City Councilor.
“When I decided to run for City Council, I did it in my living room in front of five people,” Elder said. “I would’ve never thought a State Representative, a Sheriff and the City Council President would ever later come out to support my campaign for State Representative.”
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Each speaking before the crowd, Elder, Sheriff Evangelidis and Representative O’Connell all agreed one-party rule has been a continuing problem on Beacon Hill. Elder said between the EBT mess, DCF scandal as well as the Probation Department corruption scandal illustrate that more checks and balances are needed in state government.
Elder said as a husband, a father, and a small business owner, he now he has a much different perspective on his life than when he was first elected as a City Councilor.
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“I understand the struggles of families because I have one. I understand the struggles of small businesses because I have one,” Elder said. “With a child in the Marlborough Public Schools in the fall, I understand the importance of quality schools, as well as the importance to do whatever we can to make sure small businesses succeed.”
Joining Elder at the kickoff were City Council President Patricia Pope, Ward 1 Councilor Joe Delano, Ward 5 Councilor John Irish as well as At Large Council Kathleen Robey and School Committee member Denise Ryan.
