Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Middlesex District candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Massachusetts, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Middlesex District who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Middlesex District

James Arena-DeRosa defeated Loring Barnes in the general election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Middlesex District on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Arena-DeRosa (D)	65.0	12,916
	Submit photo	Loring Barnes (R)	35.0	6,947
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	10

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,873
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

As someone who both served as an elected local official and also advocated to the highest levels of government, I will stand with the leaders of Holliston, Hopkinton, Millis and Sherborn to help them meet community challenges including infrastructure, education and affordability for seniors and young adults.

My wide breadth of experience prepares me for the vast array of policy issues facing the Commonwealth. I will continue to: Fight for affordable healthcare, protect the environment/incest in green technology, support local agriculture, collaborate with the business community, and ensure food security and justice for all.

As a member of the Senior Executive Service, I have led a $12 billion government program during the Obama Administration. My leadership skills will connect the community to state and federal programs, help individuals meet their needs, and move the state forward during challenging times.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Many of my policy positions stem from two foundational ideas that have guided my career: everyone’s basic needs should be met, and people’s voices should be heard on the issues that touch their lives. If I can accomplish one thing on Beacon Hill in the coming years it will be to insist that small towns, local leaders, small businesses, workers, students, people of color, teachers, nurses, farmers, and all others have a voice when policymakers are debating public policy and setting a direction for the Commonwealth. For too long those with significant financial resources have leveraged and controlled too much of the agenda in the corridors of power and that must change.

What legacy would you like to leave?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

I want to make positive change for my district and the state of Massachusetts. If I can accomplish one thing on Beacon Hill in the coming years it will be to insist that small towns, local leaders, small businesses, workers, students, people of color, teachers, nurses, farmers, and all others have a voice when policymakers are debating public policy and setting a direction for the Commonwealth.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Throughout high school and college, James worked 15-20 hours a week: pumping gas at his uncle’s gas station, working at the MGH lab, and enjoying a thriving disc jockey business until he decided to go help the farmworkers with Jerry Brown for $10 a day.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

For us to move forward, Massachusetts must have a legislature and Governor's office that are more transparent.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

There are many issues pertinent to Massachusetts. To name a few: Climate change, economic justice, reproductive freedom, racial justice, and voter suppression will be massive challenges we need to face together Nationwide but also as a state.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

I believe my experience is one of my strongpoints that make me the most electable for this job. If elected, I will be working from day 1 onwards to get change done on Beacon Hill.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Yes, During my career I have endeavored to work with everyone, from leadership to those in the other party. I plan to stay true to my ideals but hope to be a bridge builder in the years ahead.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Our towns will miss the wonderful leadership provided by Representatives Carolyn Dykema and David Linsky. Both have emphasized to me the importance of providing local constituent services. Often a State Representative is the one person in government that a citizen can turn to for assistance. I pledge to serve in this role full time, make myself available for regular office house in each community, and maintain a rigorous constituent service program that will be responsive to individual consistent needs and help them navigate government bureaucracy as needed.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Compromise is desirable, but at the same time it will be my priority to ensure that small businesses, workers, students, people of color, teachers, nurses, farmers, and all others have a voice when policymakers are debating public policy and setting a direction for the Commonwealth. I intend to work with fellow Democratic legislators to address issues of concern across the Commonwealth and the country like climate change, economic justice, reproductive freedom, racial justice, and voter suppression.

See also

More about these elections:

• Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2022

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