Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Kathy Lynch

Republican Kathy Lynch, chair of the Republican Town Committee, is challenging State Rep. Jim Arciero for the 2nd Middlesex District seat. The district includes Chelmsford and Westford.

The 55-year-old has worked in publications, advertising and marketing for the United States Department of Defense, Medical Education Development Services, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and Research for Better Teaching, Inc. She has previously served on the steering committee and as publicity chair of the League of Women Voters, is the current chair and previous secretary of the Republican Town Committee and has worked the town elections.

Lynch lives in Westford with her husband, John, and their children, Kerry and Matthew. The following are responses Lynch gave to questions Patch posed to all candidates running in the race:

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As a health advocate, I give special attention to the health issues we face within our district. Unfortunately, common health issues include such maladies as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimers, arthritis, autism spectrum disorders, and food allergies. The opioid crisis is looming with accelerated growth in suburban communities. The introduction of Fentanyl is proving deadly. Insurance and health care costs are skyrocketing. The rhetoric of “affordable care” does not ring true. Medicaid is unsustainable at 40% of our state budget.

Once I am in office, I will work with leaders in the field to come up with solutions that work. That means prioritizing funding for preventative measures, reducing waste and fraud, reviewing eligibility requirements for Medicaid, and encouraging high-quality, competitively-priced treatment solutions.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a mother of two teenagers, and former small business owner with a passion for education, health, and entrepreneurship, my life experiences will guide me at Beacon Hill to vote for policies that help the residents of Westford, Littleton, and Chelmsford. I have gained a valuable world view from my jobs in private industry and government, living across the United States, and traveling worldwide.

I will work to support Governor Baker's reforms for long-term sustainable growth for our district and Massachusetts as a whole. My opponent has consistently opposed, with his override votes, all of Governor Baker’s reforms. My opponent earned a 0% rating from Americans for Tax Reform and Citizens for Limited Taxation. My opponent voted against fairness and transparency measures in the committee process. I will work with Governor Baker to reform state government, oppose tax hikes, and bring fairness and transparency to the state legislature.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

One of the three important principles that I am running on is supporting small, local business – the foundation of good paying jobs in our towns. Small, local businesses bring innovative and necessary services to our district. They provide gainful employment for area residents. They bring the economy, outside of the city, into the suburbs reaping many benefits for residents: more jobs, unique and necessary products and services for the towns, tax revenue for towns, shorter, less stressful commute times, and more time with family.

My opponent continues to vote to raise taxes that hurt small businesses. In their guide to evaluating legislators’ attitudes toward small business, The National Federation of Independent Business gave my opponent a very low rating of 11%.

Many residents choose to go to sales-tax-free NH to avoid the high sales tax in MA. Buying elsewhere hurts sales in MA. Reducing the sales tax from 6.24% to 5% would help the situation. However, my opponent voted for an amendment that prevented a reduction in the state sales tax from 6.24% to 5%. He voted for healthcare legislation that leads to increased premiums for employers and their workers and fails to address the high cost of healthcare for small businesses. My opponent voted against an amendment to the Employer Medical Assistance Contribution assessment package that provides unemployment insurance relief for employers. With votes like these and his inexperience in the private sector, I wonder if he has any idea what a hardship these votes impart on small and medium-sized businesses.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

In addition to my principles of empowering healthy communities and supporting strong, local businesses, I am a strong supporter for quality education. Massachusetts’ schools have been operating on a Foundation Budget last reviewed in 1994. This is very outdated. In my district, we are well below the state average in local aid (Chapter 70 funding). While recent data shows that the state average of local aid per pupil is $5,212, Westford gets $3,504, Littleton gets $2,492, and Chelmsford gets $2,169. Not only is our district below state average but the distribution is inequitable. I will fight for a full review of the Foundation Budget taking into account special needs and fairness in local aid.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I've had several positions since graduating from college including managing a department at Research for Better Teaching, Inc. and founding a public speaking and leadership program to help children in K-12 schools. I am a compassionate, quick-learning problem solver that enjoys working with people on game-changing challenges. My life experiences have left me with a terrific skillset to serve in government for our freedom, security, health, and prosperity.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Please visit VoteKathyLynch.com and FaceBook.com/VoteKathyLynch.
Email Kathy@VoteKathyLynch.com. Don’t just go with the flow to keep the status-quo. It’s time for new ideas, competence, and integrity in this legislative seat. On November 6, Vote Kathy Lynch.

Photo courtesy of Kathy Lynch