By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Photo/submitted
Marlborough – Marlborough City Councilor Matt Elder announced his candidacy for state representative for the 4th Middlesex District at a recent gathering of the Northborough Republican Town Committee held at JJ's Sports Bar and Grille. Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury and Brad Wyatt of Boylston, Republican candidate for the 12th Middlesex state representative seat, were among those in attendance.
Elder, a small business owner, is entering his third term as Marlborough's Ward 3 City Councilor. ?He is basing his platform for state representative, he said, on his experience as an elected city official and first-hand knowledge of running a business.
“I know how hard it is to succeed as a small business owner, and I can relate to these problems,” he said.? “I grew my business, a youth sports league, from nothing to 1,000 kids a year playing with us.”
Elder claims the state is moving in the wrong direction and it has a “spending problem, not a revenue problem.”? He will be challenging incumbent Democrat Danielle Gregoire who is also a Marlborough resident.
Gregoire had previously held the seat from 2008 to 2010 until she was ousted by Steven Levy. She in turn defeated Levy in 2012.
Elder resides at 12 Tucker Ave. with his wife and two children.