4 Things to Know About the State Rep.'s Race in Stoneham and Winchester

WINCHESTER, MA — The state Rep.'s race in Stoneham and Winchester will be decided Tuesday, ending a hotly-contested race between incumbent Rep. Michael Day and Stoneham selectwoman Caroline Colarusso.

Before casting your vote Tuesday, here are five things you need to know.

1. The Candidates

Michael Day: The incumbent Day is the Democratic candidate in the race. He narrowly defeated Colarusso by a tally of 9,270 to 8,759 (51.4 percent to 48.6 percent) in 2014. He graduated from Phillips Academy and Andover and UMass-Amherst before earning a law degree from Georgetown University. He has also served as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, and as a trial attorney with the firm of Mitz Levin in Boston. He is a founding partner of the law firm Torres, Scammon, Hincks & Day, LLP. Day is a resident of Stoneham, and was born in Winchester Hospital.

Caroline Colarusso: The challenger Colarusso is the Republican candidate in the race. She was elected to the Stoneham Board of Selectman in 2015 and currently serves as the Vice Chairwoman. She has also served on the Finance and Advisory Board for five years, and worked in a managerial role with the U.S. Post Office for 27 years. She has also served as a Learn to Skate instructor, a Stoneham Youth Hockey Coach and a member of the Stoneham Youth Hockey Board of Directors. She graduated from Emmanuel College, and is a Stoneham resident.

2. The Race

The two candidates will meet again in a re-match of the 2014 election, where Day took a narrow victory (9,784 to 9,237), according the office of State Secretary William Francis Galvin. Day won in both Stoneham and Winchester, winning Winchester by a count of 4,733 to 4,457 and Stoneham by a count of 4,526 to 4,302.

According to the State Secretary's office, Colarusso's 48.6 percent of the 2014 vote was the largest portion of the vote earned by a Republican candidate in the 31st Middlesex district since 1970. There has not been a Republican state Rep. in that time frame (1970-2016).

3. The Issues

Here is a brief breakdown of the candidate's position on some of the major issues locally and statewide.

Chapter 40B developments at Weiss Farm and Forest Ridge

Both candidates have opposed the proposed housing developments at Weiss Farm in Stoneham and Forest Ridge in Winchester.

During a recent Candidates Forum, Day expressed his opposition to the projects, but did echo the need for affordable housing in Stoneham and Winchester. Day stated that he would continue to work to bring more affordable housing in the communities.

Colarusso also opposed the projects, but has also expressed her opposition to the Chapter 40B housing laws. Colarusso has criticized Day for a lack of action against the Weiss Farm and Forest Ridge projects. She has stated plans to file legislation that will fix the state's 40B housing laws.

Massachusetts' Transgender Bill of Rights

Day has strongly supported the state's transgender anti-discrimination bill that was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in July.

Colarusso has criticized Day for not supporting amendments to the bill that would have banned Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from being protected by the law and to have parents accompany opposite sex children into bathrooms.

Opioid Crisis

Day has stated that he has made the opioid crisis his top priority. During Day's term, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a landmark opioid bill into law establishing a one-week limit for initial painkiller prescriptions and other provisions aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic. Day has stated the need for further action, and plans to address issues of mental health.

Colarusso has called for a partnership between local communities and the Commonwealth on the opioid crisis, and has criticized Day for voting against Gov. Charlie Baker's initiative to keep overdose victims in the hospital for three days. Colarusso has stated that more needs to be done in terms of combating the opioid crisis. She has also secured funding for an Opioid Community Coordinator in Stoneham.

4. Endorsements

Here are some of the candidate's notable endorsements:

Colarusso:

• Gov. Charlie Baker
• Stoneham Selectman Thomas Boussy
• Winchester Selectman David Errico
• Patricia Walsh, Chair of the Stoneham Finance and Advisory Board

Day:

• Sen. Jason Lewis
• Rep. Paul Brodeur
• Rep. Daniel Cahill
• The Winchester Star

Images via the Offices of Michael Day and Caroline Colarusso