Republican Challenger Gets An Early Jump On House Race

TEWKSBURY, MA -- In politics, the saying goes, you need to vote early and vote often. For one local Republican running for state rep, the cliche can be edited to read "Get on message early and get on message often." While the election for the the 19th Middlesex District seat representing Tewksbury and Wilmington in the state house of representatives is still nearly a year away, Republican Pina Prinzivalli has been on the trail for several weeks hammering away at her "Taxpayers first" campaign slogan.

Most recently, her campaign issued a press release noting she had collected 650 signatures in the two towns she wants to represent for a ballot question that would roll back the state sales tax to 5% from its current 6.5%. The release noted that the state budget increased to $40 billion in 2017 from $26 billion a decade earlier.

"Our elected officials voted themselves $18 million dollars worth of pay raises earlier this year. And they're forcing us to fund sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants," Prinzivalli said. "Now they're talking about adding tolls to all of the major roadways. We have to send a message that enough is enough."

Prinzivalli, of Tewksbury, has worked in banking for 15 years. The seat is currently held by James R. Miceli (D-Wilmington), who has held the seat for 40 years. Miceli has not indicated whether he will run for reelection. Candidates can't officially declare February 13 and have until May 1 to file nomination papers.

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Photo by Pina Prinzivalli.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).