Election 2018: Merolli, Fattman Battle For Senate Seat

Mendon Democrat Tom Merolli is taking on two-term incumbent Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, for the Worcester-Norfolk District State Senate seat.

The Worcester-Norfolk District includes Blackstone, Douglas, Dudley, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge (precincts 1 and 3), Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton, Uxbridge and Webster in the county of Worcester; and the town of Bellingham in the county of Norfolk.

Merolli currently serves as assistant treasurer of Mendon and chair of the town's Economic Development Committee. He also holds a degree in political science from Westfield State University and is proud to have been an Eagle Scout.

"I was on the committee that successfully passed a historic district in the town of Mendon and organized alumni to vote in favor of a successful school override," said Merolli.

Fattman, R-Sutton, was elected to State Senate in 2014 after after serving two terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and two terms as a selectman in the town of Sutton. He is the first Republican to win an election to the Worcester-Norfolk Senate seat since 1938, when Dr. Wilfred Bazinet was elected from Webster.

Fattman failed to respond to repeated attempts to participate in Patch's candidate survey.

Merolli lists the single single biggest issue the district faces as "the inequity in how our education system is funded.'

"Central Massachusetts does not get its fair share in terms of state aid," he said. "We need to update the 25-year-old school funding formula, adjusting the amount that allocated for special needs costs, health insurance costs, English-language learning costs and transportation costs."

When asked what the major difference between himself and his opponent, Merolli said that Fattman focuses more on national issues than those affecting the district.

Fattman, on his official website, said when first running for the seat that he "vowed to bring Massachusetts in a new direction: away from the 'Taxachusetts' mentality that drives people and jobs to other states, and toward a Massachusetts that is more accountable and affordable."

Along with many others, Merolli deplores the opioid epidemic that has hit just about every community.

"The standard three days of detox has proven ineffective," said Merolli.

The senior population faces a serious problem finding affordable housing in the Commonwealth, he said, adding that he sees many being priced out of their longtime homes and forced to relocate.

"Meanwhile, there are communities that have cut their senior programs completely," said Merolli. "I support policies that help our senior population to age in place, programs that provide assistance in establishing affordable housing in our communities, and protect senior programs in our communities. I also support and will continue to support the efforts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support our veterans, find good jobs for them, and assistance with medical needs."

Fattman boasts a 100 percent attendance record for voting, and points to the senate's first day of the 189th session, when he offered a further amendment to increase transparency to votes taken on Beacon Hill. The amendment mandated that all recorded votes taken in senate should be posted no later than 48 hours later.

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