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Bruce Chester

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Bruce Chester
Image of Bruce Chester
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Salem State College, 1994

Graduate

American Intercontinental University, 2005

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1985 - 2005

Personal
Birthplace
Fitchburg, Mass.
Religion
Pentacostal
Profession
Adjunct professor
Contact

Bruce Chester (Republican Party) ran for election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives to represent the 2nd Worcester District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Bruce Chester was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Chester served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 2005. He earned a bachelor's degree from Salem State College in 1994. He earned a master's degree from American Intercontinental University in 2005. Chester's career experience includes working as an adjunct professor with Fitchburg State University, as a public speaker, as a comic, and as an entertainer.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Incumbent Jonathan Zlotnik defeated Bruce Chester in the general election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik (D)
 
52.2
 
10,812
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester (R)
 
47.7
 
9,882
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
25

Total votes: 20,719
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Incumbent Jonathan Zlotnik advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on September 3, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik
 
99.8
 
2,452
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
5

Total votes: 2,457
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Bruce Chester advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on September 3, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester
 
99.3
 
1,396
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.7
 
10

Total votes: 1,406
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Chester in this election.

Pledges

Chester signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

2023

See also: Massachusetts state legislative special elections, 2023

General election

Special general election for Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire District

Peter Durant defeated Jonathan Zlotnik in the special general election for Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire District on November 7, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Peter Durant
Peter Durant (R)
 
54.5
 
12,646
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik (D)
 
45.4
 
10,546
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
30

Total votes: 23,222
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire District

Jonathan Zlotnik advanced from the special Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire District on October 10, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik
 
100.0
 
2,793

Total votes: 2,793
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire District

Peter Durant defeated Bruce Chester in the special Republican primary for Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire District on October 10, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Peter Durant
Peter Durant
 
60.6
 
2,830
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester
 
39.4
 
1,840

Total votes: 4,670
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Chester in this election.

2022

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Incumbent Jonathan Zlotnik defeated Bruce Chester in the general election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik (D)
 
53.5
 
7,667
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester (R) Candidate Connection
 
46.5
 
6,664
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
7

Total votes: 14,338
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Incumbent Jonathan Zlotnik advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on September 6, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik
 
99.7
 
2,947
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
10

Total votes: 2,957
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Bruce Chester advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on September 6, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester Candidate Connection
 
99.8
 
1,684
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
4

Total votes: 1,688
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Chester's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

2020

See also: Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Incumbent Jonathan Zlotnik defeated Bruce Chester in the general election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik (D)
 
57.1
 
11,646
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester (R) Candidate Connection
 
42.8
 
8,739
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
18

Total votes: 20,403
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Incumbent Jonathan Zlotnik advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on September 1, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jonathan Zlotnik
Jonathan Zlotnik
 
98.8
 
4,957
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.2
 
58

Total votes: 5,015
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District

Bruce Chester advanced from the Republican primary for Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester District on September 1, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bruce Chester
Bruce Chester Candidate Connection
 
99.4
 
1,771
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
11

Total votes: 1,782
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bruce Chester did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2023

Bruce Chester did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Candidate Connection

Bruce Chester completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chester's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am a Conservative Republican US Army Veteran who decided to run for office in order to reverse the deterioration of the values that I fought for as a soldier for 20 years. I am a father, husband, local business owner and concerned citizen who grew up in central Mass and I have a strong desire to serve the people of my district. I come from a proud family that has been a part of Central Massachusetts for generations. I've been a military leader and now I want to bring that leadership to my district. We need to not only improve the economy of the area but we must preserve the individual liberties that our military has sacrificed so much to maintain. By managing government resources and allowing citizens to prosper, the people will create more living wage jobs, improve our schools, and make public safety available to all in the best possible manner. We will look to communicate with those who have different opinions and work together for the betterment of the District, the State and the Country.
  • Local businesses create local jobs, not the government. A living wage should match the value of the person doing that job. To force businesses to pay a wage for a job that doesn't warrant it is unfair. Let businesses grow and jobs, good paying jobs, will follow.
  • Government accountability is a critical concern. Openness , clarity and factual accuracy are what people want from their officials and I plan to keep an open door as well as an open mind to my constituency.
  • One of the greatest and most fulfilling jobs I've ever had was being a Dad. I love children and I will do everything I can to protect them. The unborn do not have a voice, and if no one will speak for them , I will. There is always an alternative to abortion
Minimal and fair taxation. People have to by law pay their taxes. They have a right to know and to direct where that money goes and used for.
Fair legislation. We have had a one party system in Massachuusetts for far too long. Balanced government is a strong government and fair. People should not be punished for diversity of thought. We must get to a point where people debate and work out policy for everyone, not just a select few.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Candidate Connection

Bruce Chester completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chester's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am an Iraq War Veteran and educator, an author, speaker and patriot. My goal is simple: to foster communication in my community and to serve the people of my district. I grew up in Central Massachusetts and I decided the hard working people of this area had a voice.
  • Support Local Businesses and Law enforcement
  • Eliminate unnecessary government over spending and over taxing
  • Support and Restoration of individual liberty
I support any law that bolsters the small and medium business owners in our community. I want the tax payers to have more control over their money and not politicians.
I looked up to my father, a simple but very wise man. I loved his plain spoken manner and view him as a great success. Ben Carson is another great man. Both men overcame great adversity despite being Black men during difficult times. My parents moved us to a small affluent town when I was four because they wanted a better life for us. He told us, "Never let color get in the way." So we carried ourselves like everyone else. We did our chores, we went to school and if we did not do well it was up to us to get ourselves in order. Work hard, dream big and never let color get in the way! A man's word is his bond and you treat everyone, including the police with respect. So it my father, Kenneth Chester, Sr., RIP that made me the man I am today. Integrity, honesty, decency and a positive attitude all factor in to how I think and how I lead.
The Bible, my presentation, "The Truth About Iraq" on Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-X87b3zF6I) These although not necessarily political are probably the best available items I could recommend.
My insight, my life experiences and my leadership skills through the military would make me the best man for the job. I am committed and excited to take on the job.
LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT LIVE YOUR DISTRICT! Respond when they call your office and return their calls or emails. I hear so many complaint about how people need help and their local representative never returns calls or anything! Be an open person.
Great prosperity, landmark legislation and the reputation of a successful, well respected leader.
I was 13 when my favorite singer, Stevie Wonder lobbied successfully to have Martin Luther King's birthday made a national holiday.
I was 14 years old and working for the Catering department at Whalom Park. I worked there three summers in a row.
I have so many! Besides the Bible, probably H.G. Wells, "The Time Machine" I love science fiction and that one is the the granddaddy of them all!
Considering myself a success . I was a successful officer in the National Guard and I have been trying to recreate that productive element ever since I left the service.
That they are managed carefully and not used as political tools for lazy politicians to hang on to their jobs. We have a upper and lower court and they should be talking and discussing (and transparent) about everything that comes through the chamber. I don't see that in the lower court.
No. This just leads to politicians that have lost touch with the people that put them in office. Politicians should come from all walks of life , a variety of backgrounds so they can relate to what happening to their constituents.
Balancing the representation of the population and then solving the problems that have existed for years. Too many politicians jockey for power rather than serve the public.
Equal value of communication and respect for authority. Get rid of personal animus and lose political agendas. Talk to people.
Yes, as long as they are working towards a common goal. Achieve together for the people.
Full, extensive research and polling. We ask the people, the voters what they want. Then let them decide.
Not sure yet. Economic promotion, setting up situations so people can thrive financially.
I spoke to the owner of the oldest still operating furniture and flooring business in the area. He was 87 years old and looking to retire. The man was trim and looking years younger than his age. He was full of local history and a proud veteran. This man worked hard for most of his life and it paid off. Unfortunately, he lamented that so many of his neighbors-other business owners had to shutter their businesses because they had no support from the local leader to help them stay in business. Even this local legend had to downsize to survive. This made me even more determined to help my district..

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.


Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Bruce Chester campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester DistrictLost general$2,291 $0
2023Massachusetts State Senate Worcester and Hampshire DistrictLost primary$28,750 $0
2022Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester DistrictLost general$16,210 $0
2020Massachusetts House of Representatives 2nd Worcester DistrictLost general$10,928 N/A**
Grand total$58,178 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 1, 2020


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