Jen Benson. (Courtesy photo)
After a number of years of public service in her local community, Lunenburg’s Jen Benson, a Democrat, is throwing her hat into the ring in the contest to select the next state representative from the 37th Middlesex District, a position currently held by Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton.
Benson’s experience includes tours of duty on Lunenburg’s School Committee, currently as chairman; a turn as the committee’s liaison to the Finance Committee; the Capital Planning Committee; Charter Review Committee; Primary School Building Committee; and the School Policy Subcommittee. She said she is running for the state office because she wants “to take this knowledge and experience to the State House and work to improve our schools, provide better support to our towns, and protect the environment.”
In an interview this week Benson said that education funding has been “a resounding theme” among people she’s talked to in cities and towns across the district.
“It’s a priority,” she said. “Everybody realizes that. I want to work to make sure towns get the educational funding they need.”
She said the biggest challenge now is for legislators to find more funding at the state level.
Benson said that Chapter 40B is an issue that has “been a hot button in a lot of smaller towns.”
“Affordable housing is very important,” she said, but added that she is concerned about oversight of the Chapter 40B process.
She stopped short of saying that Chapter 40B should be repealed.
“There are some proposed [Chapter 40B] reforms that I want to research,” she said, adding that “the intent of 40B is good,” but the practice of it has been flawed.
“It doesn’t allow towns to have enough control [over 40B developments],” she explained.
Benson said that Lunenburg has had some success with developments planned under Chapter 40R [smart growth zoning and housing production], and that this might be something other towns could consider as well.
Benson spoke of her affection for Massachusetts.
“We are very, very lucky to live in such a beautiful state,” she said. “I’m reminded of that every day as I drive through its towns and cities.”
She said she is happy to be raising her three children here and is passionate about ensuring that they, and children across the state, receive the best education they can.
Benson has received the endorsement of Sen. Robert A. Antonioni, D-Leominster, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Education.
“I have worked with Jen Benson on education issues and I believe she is especially well-qualified to represent the citizens of the 37th District in the State House,” said Antonioni.
She has also received the endorsement of the Lunenburg School Committee and the Board of Selectman, whose chairman, Tom Alonzo, said, “Jen has consistently demonstrated her dedication, her willingness to get involved, and her commitment to work hard in trying to reach collaborative solutions to our challenges. I believe Jen’s experience, energy, and commitment are exactly what we need to have our collective voices effectively heard in the State House.”
Benson describes herself as “a very down-to-earth person.”
“It takes a practical voice on Beacon Hill to convey the impact [of legislative decisions] on towns and cities,” she said. “I can take a smaller-town voice to the State House and articulate that.”
The primary election for the 37th Middlesex District seat will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16; the general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4.
