Last June’s Special Election for state representative for the 37th Middlesex District pitted Democrat Danillo Sena of Acton against Republican Catherine Clark of Lunenburg. Sena won that contest by a 3-to-1 margin and is now the incumbent. Clark is again challenging him for the seat in November’s election, when turnout will be much higher than it was in the June matchup.
Clark grew up in Westford but has lived in Lunenburg since 1992. She notes on her campaign website that she has been in the real estate business for more than 30 years, which has given her familiarity with many towns in the area. After the December 2008 ice storm, when much of the region was without electric power for days, Clark made her first foray into politics with a petition to hold Unitil (operating as Fitchburg Gas and Electric) responsible for failing to provide safe, reliable service. She currently serves on the Lunenburg Republican Committee and was recently appointed to the town’s Economic Development Committee.
Sena came to Acton from Brazil with his mother when he was 14. He went to Acton-Boxborough High School, Middlesex Community College, and UMass Amherst, and he still makes his home in Acton, now with his wife and their two young children. He began work as an intern in state Sen. Jamie Eldridge’s office in 2013 and quickly worked his way up to district director for the senator, a position he held for six years. Last June, Sena says, he became the first Brazilian immigrant in the nation to be elected to a state legislature.
The Press posed several questions to each candidate on major issues facing the state. Both candidates responded by email. Their answers appear below. (Responses were edited only to follow Press style in spelling and punctuation; they were not edited for length.)
Cathy Clark. (Courtesy photo)
Cathy Clark
Republican candidate for state representative in the 37th Middlesex District
State revenue is estimated to be down $5 billion or more. How would you support dealing with that shortfall? And do you think the state can fulfill the governor’s promise to maintain support for local aid?
I would support a freeze on spending, other than funds to maintain operations at statewide departments, boards, commissions, and institutions. I would also support lowering appropriation levels—this would address the need for continuing government operations while adjusting for lower tax revenue collections. Utilizing the rainy day fund will be a necessity as well, if we are to maintain funding for local aid. Some recent revenue numbers were not as dire as projected, but there is still a lot of uncertainty.
Do you support or oppose the police reform legislation that is stalled in the Legislature? Or are there changes that you’d want to see in it so that you could support it?
I support common-sense reforms, but this bill was rushed through without proper consultation; the bill in its present form I could not support. From proper training and certifications to qualified immunity, these are critical if we are to maintain quality protection for our communities and attract future law enforcement officers.
What is your position on Medicare for All or an alternative health care plan for Massachusetts?
Socialized medicine is not effective. We need market incentives and less government control. [The] excessively high deductibles that many are currently experiencing proves that working- and middle-class families need and deserve reform.
Last June, you made clear you would run again this fall. What leads you to that decision? This district is one of only 19 that are contested out of 160 or so. Why have you made this contest a priority, even though you certainly have other interests and concerns that you’d also like to devote time to?
There is no question this has been an unprecedented election season. The residents in the district always deserve to have a choice. It is unfortunate that too many races in other districts go uncontested and that there is an imbalance on Beacon Hill. I have continued to run for this important seat as I feel my years of experience as a homeowner, realtor, and business owner make me the best-suited person to represent the district. I am at a perfect time in my life to serve; I no longer have young children at home and have two daughters that live in the city, one of whom has an extra room ready for any late session nights [when] I would need to be in Boston. I have advocated for years, not just as a ratepayer advocate in utilities but as a parent and as a daughter and daughter-in-law when my parents and in-laws took ill and then passed away. My ability to advocate and persevere would serve well on Beacon Hill in a number of areas.
Dan Sena. (Courtesy photo)
Dan Sena
Democratic candidate for state representative in the 37th Middlesex District
State revenue is estimated to be down $5 billion or more. How would you support dealing with that shortfall? And do you think the state can fulfill the governor’s promise to maintain support for local aid?
I think it is important that we find new, progressive ways to raise revenue to fill that gap. There are many ways to raise revenue, but it is essential that we choose options that ensure a rapid, fair, and sustainable recovery—one that avoids burdens to those most hurt by COVID-19, that is broadly shared and does not lead to greater wealth inequality, and that relies on progressive taxation of corporations and the wealthy. For example, Massachusetts could recouple to the federal GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income). This would end a costly corporate tax loophole and could raise $200 million to $400 million annually. We could also end the step-up in basis for capital gains. This tax break on inherited wealth mainly benefits the most affluent households. By ending it, we could raise hundreds of millions of dollars; there was an estimated $841.9 million in forgone revenue for [fiscal] 2019 because of this. We must give municipalities the local aid they need, and these options could help ensure we have the revenue needed to do that.
Do you support or oppose the police reform legislation that is stalled in the Legislature? Or are there changes that you’d want to see in it so that you could support it?
I support the police reform bill and voted for it. I was happy to see it use the four state-level points in the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus 10-point plan as a basis for making meaningful reform: creating a POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training) Commission; establishing an office of diversity and equal opportunity; starting a commission on institutional racism; and limiting police use of force. One of the main parts of the bill that I support, which comes from the 10-point plan, is the creation of the POST Commission. This will be an independent commission, made up mostly of civilians, that will be responsible for training, certifying, and disciplining law enforcement officers.
Your website makes clear that you support Medicare for All in Massachusetts. But how can the state afford its own plan without federal support? And when drug companies and their skyrocketing prices are a national issue, not under local control?
Everyone needs access to health care, and I believe that health care is a human right. That’s why I support a single-payer system, which I believe is the best way to get everyone health care that is high quality and affordable. There is a lot of room for states to lead on policy that has national potential. In 2006 Massachusetts reformed its health care system, and this influenced the creation of the Affordable Care Act soon after. Massachusetts should lead the way again on Medicare for All. We have to work within a federal environment that may be more or less supportive of a program like this, but we can find ways to work with what we’ve got. It’s the same with reducing prescription drug prices—even if it requires some kind of national action, we can lead the way in Massachusetts and help it gain momentum.
