Ferro, Gregoire Battle For 4th Middlesex District House Seat

Former Marlborough City Councilor Paul Ferro, a Republican, hopes to throw incumbent Democrat Danielle Gregoire, also from Marlborough, from her seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 4th Middlesex District.

The district consists of Marlborough, Ward 2: Precinct 1, Wards 3, 4, 5, 6, Ward 7: Precinct 2; Northborough, Precincts 1, 3; Westborough, Precinct 1, 3.

Ferro lists healthcare as a pressing issue for the district, noting that he is a kidney transplant recipient and keenly aware of the Medicare system.

"I paid the full cost of my private insurance before then and have paid the full cost of private insurance since," said Ferro. "I have see healthcare from every angle over the past decade. American healthcare isn't just why I'm running; it's why I'm here. Right now, healthcare consumes 40 percent of the state budget. We need a legislator who has experience in our healthcare system from all angles to know how to fix our broken healthcare system."

For Gregoire, the single most pressing issue the district faces is workforce development.

"This district has the lowest unemployment rate in the state," Gregoire said. "We are creating jobs at record levels and investing in our communities at unprecedented amounts. One of the challenges we face is workforce development, and we have and will continue to work with our technical high schools, community colleges and state universities to develop education programming to provide a 21st century workforce to area employers."

Gregoire adds that the critical difference between her and her opponent? Experience.

"I have years of on-the-ground experience doing this job and leading every day on the widest variety of issues," she told Patch. "I will continue to lead on day 1, with no learning curve and on a firm foundation of relationships within state government. I have shepherded numerous pieces of local legislation through the process benefiting all three communities in the district and have existing, positive relationships with local officials both elected and appointed. "

Ferro, who was a city councilor in Marlborough for eight years, said the main difference between him and Gregoire is that she has "voted with the Speaker 100 percent of time. Conversely, she has voted to override 100 percent of Governor Baker's budget vetoes. Ask yourself a simple question. Is there anyone with whom you agree with 100 percent of the time? Is there anyone who disagree with 100 percent of the time?"

The issues that define his campaign, he says, include fiscal responsibility, healthcare and education. All three being "interrelated."

"My opponent and I could not be further apart on issues that concern residents of the 4th Middlesex," said Gregoire. "While we are similar on tax policy (both of us generally in opposition to increasing taxes) we are far apart on civil rights, women's rights and LGBTQ equality. We are also far apart in our demeanor and the way we think a state representative should work."

See also:

>>> Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Danielle Gregoire

>>>> Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Paul Ferro

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