Colarusso Announces Candidacy For State Representative

A release from Stoneham Select Board member Caroline Colarusso:

STONEHAM - After much encouragement from constituents, friends, and supporters, Selectwoman Caroline Colarusso of Stoneham officially announced her campaign for State Representative for the 31st Middlesex District that consists of the towns of Stoneham and Winchester.

“Today I announce my candidacy for State Representative,” said Colarusso. “Stoneham and Winchester deserve a full time State Representative who will advocate for our priorities. As a Selectwoman from Stoneham, I understand the impact state government has on our towns, and as your State Representative, I will go to Beacon Hill every day to work for you and your family.”

Colarusso has been active as a Selectwoman holding frequent office hours, attending meetings, holding forums, organizing community events, demanding oversight, and keeping residents informed while working to lower the tax burden for all residents. She is focused on the impact of inappropriate state-imposed Chapter 40B housing developments on Winchester and Stoneham. She wishes to see housing that meets the needs of those in the community to assist those who are struggling economically. She opposes the disruptive Eversource Energy project that could pose health risks to neighborhoods. She also has been a steady voice for homeowners and neighborhoods that have been uprooted by the state-imposed construction projects.

“Stoneham and Winchester deserve a state representative who will serve all our needs. Families are moving here for an excellent quality of life, strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and steady economic growth. We want our children’s future to be better than ours. Seniors wish to remain in the communities they help build and should not be priced out. We want elected officials to work hard and leave more money in our pockets instead raising their own pay by 39%. State government must work for all of us and not against us”, said Colarusso.

Colarusso said the choice is clear in November: “Like Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, my experience as a local official gives me the critical skills necessary to ensure our needs are addressed on Beacon Hill. In addition, as a manager I know how to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely, lower our tax burden, and streamline rules and regulations to not overburden small businesses. Unfortunately, the incumbent representative is more focused on his private law practice, his own taxpayer-funded salary, and the special interest groups that fund his campaigns. We need a State Representative who will work with Governor Baker to implement an agenda that serves the interests of Stoneham and Winchester, not the interests of the connected and powerful on Beacon Hill,” added Colarusso.

Colarusso was a member of Stoneham Finance and Advisory Board prior to being elected to the Board of Selectmen and is currently serving her second term and is the senior member of the Board. She is known for increasing oversight and accountability of town operations and working to assist families whose loved ones are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Professionally Caroline was a senior manager with over 25 years of experience where her work received several performance awards.

Colarusso is also a longtime community volunteer in youth settings and at the high school level. She helped coach the Stoneham High Girls Varsity Ice Hockey team during the years when the program was struggling. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emmanuel College. She and her husband Joseph have been married for 28 years and have 3 sons - Anthony 27, Joseph 26, and Richard 20 all new Stoneham homeowners. Most importantly, she is a devoted mother, wife and daughter. Colarusso helps care for her mother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

She will be kicking off her campaign in Winchester at the Sons of Italy at 7 p.m. on June 14th (Flag Day) at the Sons of Italy located at 117 Swanton Street. Colarusso is also seeking interns and volunteers to work on her campaign and can be reached by phone at (781) 279-1197 or via email at CarolineColarusso@gmail.com.For more information on the campaign you can visit her website at Caroline4rep.com.