State Rep. Peter Durant, a Spencer Republican, plans to announce subsequent week a run for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Sen. Anne Gobi, who’s leaving the Legislature to affix the Healey administration, in accordance with an individual with information of the choice.
Republicans view Gobi’s district as a first-rate alternative to choose up a seat within the Senate, the place there are solely three Republicans and Democrats maintain a brilliant majority. Durant’s resolution to run will pit him towards his House colleague, Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik, a Gardner Democrat.
Durant didn’t reply to a request for touch upon Wednesday.
All three of the Senate’s Republicans advised the Herald final week that they’re assured a Republican can win a race in what they view as a aggressive district.
As of the top of April, Zlotnik reported $32,114 in marketing campaign money and Durant reported $828 available, in accordance with state marketing campaign finance information.
Durant is a sixth-term state lawmaker who serves because the rating minority member on each the Judiciary Committee and House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.
But Gobi beforehand mentioned the make-up of the district — which features a portion of Worcester, Gardner, and Holden — means there’s a “heavy Democratic” presence within the space.
“So I think it’s a good opportunity for a Democrat to retain the seat,” she advised reporters within the State House the day her departure was introduced.
Zlotnik has mentioned the 22 communities that make up the Senate district “deserve a Senator who knows how to work with their local officials to build a stronger district from the ground up.”
“I have proven my commitment to my constituents. I have a proven bipartisan track record of problem-solving and consensus-building. I look forward to the opportunity to do the same for so many in the North Quabbin and Central Massachusetts Regions,” he mentioned in an announcement final week.
Durant already seems to be zeroing in on key points that will play to voters within the space.
The Republican mentioned Wednesday that he filed a information request with the Healey administration looking for a spread of data concerning the variety of “non-residents” housed within the state and the related prices.
The request asks what number of inns and motels have contracted with the state to deal with migrants, undocumented immigrants, and refugees; the present variety of lodge and motel rooms the state is at present paying for; and what number of inns and motels the state is within the strategy of negotiating with to deal with extra folks.
“The people of Massachusetts have the right to know what is happening and what it is costing the taxpayers. We deserve transparency,” Durant mentioned in an announcement.
Gov. Maura Healey introduced final week that Gobi would begin because the administration’s director of rural affairs on June 4 and step down from the seat she has held for 5 phrases on June 4.
Healey mentioned the Spencer Democrat has proven a “fierce advocacy of rural equity, agricultural and small businesses, and conservation initiatives.”
“We want to send a clear message to every single person who calls rural Massachusetts home – we see you, we value you, and we’re going to work every day to ensure you have the representation and support you deserve,” Healey mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”