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

Elections in Massachusetts, 2022

---

On the ballot:  • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • State ballot measures • Municipal

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Norfolk 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 Norfolk District

Incumbent Edward Philips defeated Howard Terban in the general election for Massachusetts House of Representatives 8th Norfolk District on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Edward Philips (D)	69.4	12,257
		Howard Terban (R)	30.6	5,400
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	8

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,665
= 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.

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

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

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?

Howard Terban (R)

Inflation is the top issue in this year's election. Dems are willing to tank our economy in the name of green energy. The Biden administration has taken us from energy independence to a looming recession. Inflation is at a 40 year high. Republicans want to open our economy, promote businesses, and let them flourish.

We must stop allowing immigrants to enter this country illegally. Our immigration system is broken and is harming communities, our schools, our workforce and our lives.

Parents should be in control of their children's education. As their primary educators, parents should have the freedom to speak out in support of a curriculum that evokes American values and patriotism for our country and its flag. Public schools have been failing our children for many years and must stop the indoctrination.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Howard Terban (R)

We must continue to fund and educate our police. We must support their efforts and work with them to ensure public safety. Justice for all people. One system of justice for everyone.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Howard Terban (R)

President Ronald Reagan was a strong, self-confident politician. He knew who he was and had his vision of what he wanted our country to be. He took arrows from the opposing party and handled it with grace and dignity.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Howard Terban (R)

Independence Day

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Howard Terban (R)

Everyone can succeed in America . One can achieve the American dream if they are willing to try and work hard. With people working hard, with a common goal, we can take back America.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Howard Terban (R)

I will uphold common sense values. I will not speak out of both sides of my mouth. I am some one who is committed to hard work. I will work hard to serve the people in my constituency. My conservative core values cannot be altered by liberal Democrats and their self serving agenda.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Howard Terban (R)

I am running for State Rep to do the work of the people, to support local government by helping to promote much needed change. We must push back on federal government control and get the federal bureaucracy off our backs.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Howard Terban (R)

Never sleeps...always working for the common good of all.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Howard Terban (R)

When I was 9 years old in 1963, I watched the coverage of the JFK assassination.

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

Howard Terban (R)

I was a delivery boy for my uncle's stationery store in Boston when I was 13 years old. I took the subway into town during the summer.

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

Howard Terban (R)

State legislature makes the laws but must convince the governor that the policies are good for our state so the governor will sign it into law.

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

Howard Terban (R)

Getting anything accomplished in liberal, blue Massachusetts is almost impossible. but every journey begins with a single step. We need common sense conservatives in office to change our current state of affairs.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Howard Terban (R)

One direction without debate and discussion and opposite points of view pushes us in one direction and not necessarily the best one. We need the input of a lot of smart people who do take opposing sides of an issue.

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

Howard Terban (R)

A well educated, hard working person of many different backgrounds can serve the people.

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

Howard Terban (R)

All legislators must work together with a mutual respect to get anything done. The disdain for one another today is draining on everyone.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Howard Terban (R)

Elected officials must talk to the people and work with them to get it right.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Howard Terban (R)

No

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Howard Terban (R)

Yes

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

Howard Terban (R)

Absolutely YES. Parties must come together and compromise. Gridlock is hurting our country and our future. I can work with people on both sides of the aisle.

See also

More about these elections:

• Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

1st Barnstable2nd Barnstable3rd Barnstable4th Barnstable5th Barnstable1st Berkshire2nd Berkshire3rd Berkshire1st Bristol2nd Bristol3rd Bristol4th Bristol5th Bristol6th Bristol7th Bristol8th Bristol9th Bristol10th Bristol11th Bristol12th Bristol13th Bristol14th Bristol1st Essex2nd Essex3rd Essex4th Essex5th Essex6th Essex7th Essex8th Essex9th Essex10th Essex11th Essex12th Essex13th Essex14th Essex15th Essex16th Essex17th Essex18th Essex1st Franklin2nd Franklin1st Hampden2nd Hampden3rd Hampden4th Hampden5th Hampden6th Hampden7th Hampden8th Hampden9th Hampden10th Hampden11th Hampden12th Hampden1st Hampshire2nd Hampshire3rd Hampshire1st Middlesex2nd Middlesex3rd Middlesex4th Middlesex5th Middlesex6th Middlesex7th Middlesex8th Middlesex9th Middlesex10th Middlesex11th Middlesex12th Middlesex13th Middlesex14th Middlesex15th Middlesex16th Middlesex17th Middlesex18th Middlesex19th Middlesex20th Middlesex21st Middlesex22nd Middlesex23rd Middlesex24th Middlesex25th Middlesex26th Middlesex27th Middlesex28th Middlesex29th Middlesex30th Middlesex31st Middlesex32nd Middlesex33rd Middlesex34th Middlesex35th Middlesex36th Middlesex37th Middlesex1st Norfolk2nd Norfolk3rd Norfolk4th Norfolk5th Norfolk6th Norfolk7th Norfolk8th Norfolk9th Norfolk10th Norfolk11th Norfolk12th Norfolk13th Norfolk14th Norfolk15th Norfolk1st Plymouth2nd Plymouth3rd Plymouth4th Plymouth5th Plymouth6th Plymouth7th Plymouth8th Plymouth9th Plymouth10th Plymouth11th Plymouth12th Plymouth1st Suffolk2nd Suffolk3rd Suffolk4th Suffolk5th Suffolk6th Suffolk7th Suffolk8th Suffolk9th Suffolk10th Suffolk11th Suffolk12th Suffolk13th Suffolk14th Suffolk15th Suffolk16th Suffolk17th Suffolk18th Suffolk19th Suffolk1st Worcester2nd Worcester3rd Worcester4th Worcester5th Worcester6th Worcester7th Worcester8th Worcester9th Worcester10th Worcester11th Worcester12th Worcester13th Worcester14th Worcester15th Worcester16th Worcester17th Worcester18th Worcester19th WorcesterBarnstable, Dukes, and NantucketSubmit