By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Two Marlborough residents are vying to be the Democratic candidate to run against incumbent state Rep. Steven Levy, R-Marlborough, this fall in the race to represent the 4th Middlesex District.
But first, voters must choose during the Thursday, Sept. 6 State Primary Election either former state Rep. Danielle Gregoire, who lost to Levy in the 2010 election by 102 votes, or Joseph Collins, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2009 and city councilor in 2011.
Gregoire, who announced her candidacy in February, stated that the concerns raised during the 2010 campaign regarding jobs and the economy are still valid today.
“The number-one priority of our elected officials should be to get our commonwealth and our communities back on a path to shared prosperity, not to drive outdated, irrelevant agendas,” she said. “I would like to continue to bring economic development to our area in order to create new jobs in up-and-coming industries like high-tech, bio-tech and renewable energy.”
Collins said he wants to be in public service to hopefully lower the tax burden on Massachusetts residents.
“The overall theme of this election is the economy, and to me the economy includes a number of factors – small businesses, education, transportation and taxes. It is vitally important that we look at ways to improve in each of these areas,” he said.
He said he is ready to make tough decisions to improve the state's economic position.
Collins served in the U.S. Marines for over 10 years, is married with two children and is employed in the finance department of a Boston law firm.
Gregoire is a practicing attorney.
The 4th Middlesex District includes 10 precincts in Marlborough as well as Northborough precincts 1 and 3 and Westborough precincts 1 and 3. Polls in the city will be open Sept. 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to City Clerk Lisa M. Thomas.
For more information, including where to go to vote, go to http://www.marlborough-ma.gov/Gen/MarlboroughMA_CityClerks/Voting%20Information.