By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Shrewsbury/Westborough – Although he just won his third term as the 11th Worcester District State Representative, Matthew Beaton (R-Shrewsbury) will not be serving in that position in the new year. Instead, he will be the joining Governor-elect Charlie Baker’s cabinet as the state’s secretary of energy and environmental affairs. Fellow Shrewsbury resident and former state representative Karyn Polito, will also be a member of Baker’s administration, serving as the commonwealth’s lieutenant governor.
Beaton was tapped by Baker to for the office shortly after Baker won the gubernatorial race Nov. 6.
Beaton, who co-owns Beaton-Kane Construction in Shrewsbury, has represented Shrewsbury and Districts 4 and 5 in Westborough since winning his first term as state representative in 2010. Westborough’s three other districts are represented by two Democrats, Carolyn Dykema of Holliston and Danielle Gregoire of Marlborough.
So far, two candidates have announced their intention to run for his soon-to-be vacated seat – Hannah Kane, who also coincidentally is his business partner in Beaton-Kane Construction, and Jason Palitsch, a government and public affairs specialist with Veterans, Inc.
Both Kane, a Republican, and Palitsch, a Democrat, have served on many of Shrewsbury’s nonprofit organizations.
Kane, 43, has volunteered with the Shrewsbury Development Corporation, the Celebration in Garden Party fundraiser for the Shrewsbury Public Schools and the Beaton Charity Classic which raises funds for local organizations. She has also served on the town’s Finance Committee. Prior to Beaton-Kane Construction she worked at MassDevelopment, UNUM Insurance Company, and Kelley Habib John Integrated Marketing. Her husband James is the current chair of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen.
Palitsch, 25, is a former aide to State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury), and a Town Meeting member from Precinct 9. He has been a member of the School Committee since 2012 and served as a member of Shrewsbury’s 2013 Fiscal Study Committee. He is a past member of the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services Gala Committee, and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury.
According to Shrewsbury Town Clerk Sandy Wright, an election date will be determined once Beaton officially resigns as state representative. The election, which will be held in both Shrewsbury and Westborough, will be paid for by the state.
Beaton is endorsing Kane in her bid for the seat.
