Jason Lewis: 2022 State Senator Candidate Profile

WINCHESTER, MA — Democrat Jason Lewis will be one of two candidates on the general election ballot later this year seeking to represent the 5th Middlesex District in the state senate.

The 54-year-old is running for re-election to a seat in the legislature that he's held since 2014. He is facing a challenge from Ed Dombroski, who is currently a Wakefield town councilor.

Lewis previously served as a state representative from 2009 to 2014. He also still serves as a Winchester Town Meeting member, participating in a role he has held since 2009. Lewis worked in the software industry prior to his career in the state legislature, working jobs at several software companies in Massachusetts.

The 5th Middlesex District will include Reading, Wakefield, Stoneham, Melrose, Malden and parts of Winchester for this year's election.

A husband and a father, Lewis holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard College and a master of business administration from Harvard Business School.

Lewis moved through last month’s state primary without a Democratic opponent, triggering a general election race with Dombroski, a Republican. The general election is set for Nov. 8.

Dombroski and Lewis are set to debate next week in an event hosted by Wakefield Community Access TV in Wakefield. That event will take place on Oct. 17 at at 7 p.m. at Wakefield's Galvin Middle School.

Patch sent candidate questionnaires to each of the candidates running in this year's 5th Middlesex District state senate race.

Here's how Lewis responded:

Campaign website

electjasonlewis.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have had the privilege to represent the 5th Middlesex District in the State Senate since 2014. In that time, I have delivered results for my constituents and been a progressive leader in the Commonwealth. I have helped secure millions of dollars in funding for projects in my district, including building new schools, fixing roads and unsafe intersections, expanding greenways, improving parks and playgrounds, addressing flooding and other environmental challenges, and supporting local economic development and arts and culture. I have also led many successful legislative efforts, including passage of the landmark Student Opportunity Act, creating a universal paid family and medical leave program, increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, protecting teens from tobacco and vaping products, improving care for Alzheimer's patients, and more. I am seeking re-election to build on these accomplishments and continue to improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities and Commonwealth.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The greatest challenge facing our communities is to continue to expand opportunity and equity for all and ensure that our cities and towns remain strong and vibrant in the future. Doing so requires addressing multiple issues, including investing in excellent public schools, supporting local economic development, making more affordable housing available, improving transportation options especially public transit, ensuring access to high quality healthcare including mental health, and advancing racial and economic justice. I have a strong track record of accomplishment on all of these issues, and if I'm re-elected I will continue working hard every day to make further progress.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My Republican opponent has very different values and priorities from me. Unlike him, I also have an extensive track record of getting results and accomplishing big things in the state legislature for our communities and Commonwealth.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have long championed strong public schools and equitable funding to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive. As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, I will continue to prioritize expanding educational opportunity, including more affordable early education and childcare, strong K-12 public schools, and greater access to affordable higher education. I will also continue my longstanding efforts to improve access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment, because I believe that healthcare should be a basic human right. Other issues that I will continue tackling include: combating climate change and ensuring that Massachusetts is a leader in the new green economy, addressing housing affordability in our region, improving transportation especially public transit, and working to advance racial and economic justice.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Since first being elected to the State Senate in 2014, I have delivered results for my constituents and been a progressive leader in the Commonwealth. I have helped secure millions of dollars in funding for projects in my district, including building new schools, fixing roads and unsafe intersections, expanding greenways, improving parks and playgrounds, addressing flooding and other environmental challenges, and supporting local economic development and arts and culture. I have also led many successful legislative efforts, including passage of the landmark Student Opportunity Act, creating a universal paid family and medical leave program, increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, protecting teens from tobacco and vaping products, improving care for Alzheimer's patients, and more. Further details on my track record and accomplishments can be found here.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My parents taught me from a young age to put myself in the shoes of other people and try to better understand their hopes and struggles. As a State Senator this motivates me to do everything I can to help lift up my constituents.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

More details about my values, priorities, and positions on key issues can be found here.