North Shore Republican Enters Race For Open U.S. House Seat

SALEM, MA — An Essex lawyer and U.S. Army Ranger veteran has launched a bid for the Republican nomination to fill the seat U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton is vacating in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Micah Q. Jones said "accountability, opportunity and security" will be the three pillars of his campaign as he works to institute a child care tax credit, lower tax burdens on businesses and "win the AI arms race."

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Jones is looking to be the Republican candidate against the winner of what has been a crowded field of Democrats for the seat Moulton is vacating to run against U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in the Democrat primary.

"Our problems aren't caused by Democrats and Republicans," Jones said in his campaign announcement. "They are caused as a result of career politicians in Washington who have forgotten working people and those striving to achieve the American dream."

Jones said he supports term limits for members of Congress and a ban on stock trading for members and their spouses.

He said he will champion lowering utility costs through "energy innovation," a higher state and local tax (SALT) deductions for families and a new child care tax credit.

He also took aim at artificial intelligence against what he called "nefarious actors who seek to weaken America."

"Micah Jones will bring independent leadership to Massachusetts, providing sorely needed balance for our state in DC," said MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)