3 Dems Run For Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District Senate

Three Democrats are vying to take on incumbent Republican Richard Ross in the primary election run for the state senate seat representing Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex: Kris Aleksov, an attorney from Wayland; Jackie Katz, a Wellesley High School teacher from Norfolk; and Becca Rausch, a Needham native and attorney.

The district includes part or all of Natick, Wayland, Franklin, Wellesley, Millis, Attleboro, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn and Wrentham.

Jackie Katz, who is 35, has been a history teacher for the past 12 years at Wellesley High School after starting her career at Newton North High School where she taught for one year. It's her first time running in an election.

Katz lists education as the single most pressing issue in the district. "We need to decrease testing to focus on learning and change funding structures to help districts in need," she told Patch. "We also need to make college tuition more affordable and increase access to early childhood education. As a teacher, I have the expertise and first hand experience to help make reform meaningful."

Needham's Becca Rausch graduated with a B.A. from Brandeis University in 2001, received a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2004 and an LL.M from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2011.

For Rausch, the most pressing issue facing the district is "making government work for working families. I will advocate for universal health care, updated school funding, investment in transportation infrastructure, environmental justice, increased transparency, improved voting rights/access, family supports and waste reduction."

Kris Aleksov is a Juris Doctor and has been an attorney for six years. He was also a 2016 Democratic nominee for Senate from Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex. It is located in the Fifth Congressional District.

The reason he's running and why it's so important? "It's held by a Republican and I intend to unseat him. I am the only candidate who has demonstrated the ability to win in November."

Find profiles on the three candidates here:

Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Becca Rausch

Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Jackie Katz

Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Kris Aleksov

Photos submitted by candidates