NORTHBOROUGH, MA — With Election Day approaching, Massachusetts voters are getting a closer look at the candidates hoping to represent them on Beacon Hill.
State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne is seeking another term representing the 12th Worcester District, which includes all or parts of Berlin, Boylston, Clinton, Lancaster, Northborough and Sterling.
Kilcoyne secured the Democratic nomination after running unopposed in the Sept. 1 State Primary. She will now run against Republican Lisa Mair in the State Election on Nov. 3.
Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their backgrounds, priorities and goals for the communities they hope to represent.
Here's what Kilcoyne had to say:
Age?
38
Position sought?
State Representative, 12th Worcester District (Berlin, Boylston, Clinton, Lancaster, Precinct 4 of Northborough, and Sterling)
Link to Campaign Website
Party Affiliation?
Democrat
Where did you go to school?
Chocksett and Houghton schools in Sterling; Wachusett Regional High School; Stonehill College (B.A., History); Suffolk University Law School (J.D.)
Where are you originally from?
Sterling. I was born and raised in the 12th Worcester District and spent much of my childhood in Clinton, where all of my grandparents lived.
What is your occupation?
State Representative
Have you previously or currently been elected to office?
Yes. I was elected in 2020 as the first woman to represent the 12th Worcester District and am currently serving my third term.
Why are you running for this position?
This district is my home, and serving it has been the focus of my professional life for more than 15 years. Before I was elected, I spent over a decade in the State House working for Rep. Harold Naughton, and since 2021 I've been proud to deliver for our towns directly. There is more work to do, from making our communities more affordable to making sure our small towns get their fair share from Beacon Hill, and I want to keep delivering results.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is _______ and this is what I intend to do about it.
I supported the Affordable Homes Act and the state's tax relief package, and I'll keep pushing for policies that expand housing options, ease the tax burden on families and seniors, and control health care costs. As Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and a member of House Ways and Means, I'm in a position to shape how the state spends its money and to keep a focus on the everyday costs people feel.
What sets you apart from other candidates seeking this position?
I know this district and I know how the State House works. That combination has let me secure funding for every town in the district every year I've been in office, including more than $900,000 in the FY2027 budget alone for projects like ambulance equipment in Berlin, library upgrades in Lancaster, security cameras at Wachusett Regional High School, and ongoing reimbursement to Clinton for the Wachusett Reservoir.
What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Local aid and infrastructure for our small towns, public safety and first responders, school funding, health care access and affordability, veterans' services, and protecting reproductive rights.
How does your experience prepare you for success in this position?
I served as legislative director and chief budget analyst for Rep. Naughton, where I worked with local officials and legislators of both parties to pass local bills for each town in the district. As a representative, I've helped pass major legislation including the Affordable Homes Act, the HERO Act for veterans, and firearm safety reform, along with local bills for Northborough, Sterling, Berlin, and Lancaster. I also serve on the Ways and Means and Judiciary committees.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself?
My office is always open. If you need help with a state agency or have an idea for our community, please reach out.
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