By Molly Farrar
Boston University Statehouse Program
Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, has held the 10th Norfolk District seat in the House of Representatives since 2012. And he entered the Sept. 6 Democratic primary unopposed.
However, fellow Franklin resident Charles Bailey launched a successful write-in campaign on the Republican side for a spot on the Nov. 8 ballot. In collecting 156 votes, Bailey won the right to face Roy in the general election on Nov. 8.
Jeffrey Roy
Age: 61
Residence: Franklin
Endorsements: Attorney General (and gubernatorial candidate) Maura Healey, Franklin Firefighters Local 2637, Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, Service Employees International Union Local 509, Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund, Sierra Club, Massachusetts Nurses Association, Franklin Town Council Chair Thomas Mercer, Franklin Town, Council Vice-Chair Robert Dellorco, Franklin Town Council Clerk Glenn Jones, Franklin Town Councilors Melanie Hamlin, Ted Cormier-Leger, Cobi Frongillo, Patrick Sheridan
Occupation: Trial attorney
Website: https://jeffreyroy.com/
Why are you running?
After 10 years in the Legislature, Roy wants to continue his work in lowering energy costs and setting climate goals, as well as higher education reform and affordable housing goals.
“I would like to finish the work that I have started, and I think the community has been served well,” Roy said. “I want to return and continue this work to make Franklin and Medway great places to live, work and raise a family.”
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Roy has represented Franklin and most of Medway since 2012, when he entered the Legislature with several years of local government experience. He spent 10 years on the Franklin School Board and a year on the Franklin Town Council.
Since joining the Legislature, Roy has served as House chair of three committees, including Higher Education and his current spot on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy. He was acting House chair Health Care Finance and chairs the Manufacturing Caucus.
“I’m in a position of leadership in that area,” Roy said of climate change legislation, “and want to continue that work to turn over to the next generation a planet that provides them clean water, clean air, and not something ravaged by the effects of global warming.”
He led his committee to draft the clean energy and offshore wind bill, a version of which was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Aug. 11. Roy said he plans to continue the drive for offshore wind energy in Massachusetts.
What issues face your district and how will you tackle them?
Roy said finding an affordable home in Franklin can be challenging. With two MBTA Commuter Rail stations, he said Franklin should turn more toward “transit-oriented” workforce housing.
“When I was still in local government back in 2012, I chaired the Franklin Master Plan Committee, and that was indeed something that was important 10 years ago, and it still remains a priority today.”
As winter approaches, high energy costs are a concern for people throughout the state. Roy said that state and federal assistance, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is available for those who are struggling with the rising energy costs.
As House chair of Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy, Roy said it’s important to look to the future — what could be long-term solutions to the fluctuating energy costs caused by the international natural gas industry.
“Offshore wind, the development of that industry and that source of power in Massachusetts is something that will give Massachusetts energy independence and will lessen our reliance on natural gas as the fuel to heat our homes.”
Roy said his years on the school board have “translated well into his service.”
Chapter 70 funding, or state aid distributed to schools, has been Roy’s focus for Franklin and Medway. He said some of this “robust state aid” has been designated for mental health programs in schools and substance abuse task forces. He said there’s $28.5 million in Chapter 70 for Franklin and $10.5 million for Medway.
Roy’s other current efforts focus on creating jobs through manufacturing in Massachusetts, cementing the state as a leader in offshore wind energy and continuing support for students in higher education.
Charles Bailey
Age: 54
Residence: Franklin
Endorsements: None
Occupation: Paramedic educator
Website: https://charlesbaileyforstaterep.com/
Why are you running?
Bailey said that seeing voters, especially the elderly, come out in the pouring rain during the primary was “inspiring.”
“It was very difficult, but I was able to get the votes I needed,” he said. “I didn’t think many would come up but we had record attendance at the primaries, which is great.”
Bailey, an Army veteran, moved to Franklin in 1993 after active duty. He became an EMT and was part of the Franklin Fire Department for 20 years. After teaching in special education in Walpole, he returned to the medical field during the pandemic.
He said he’s running to bring balance to the Legislature to avoid a one-party super-majority. He considers himself a moderate, but with conservative values like “small government, less regulation of capitalism.”
“I see an opportunity to make a difference, to get involved,” he said. “Everything’s Democrat-dominated right now. If no conservative folks get involved, there’s going to be a one-party rule here in Massachusetts.”
Bailey was president of the Franklin Fire Department’s union for three years, which taught him to find “common ground.”
“I learned about negotiation and working with people with different views and finding commonality,” he said. “So I’d be really pushing for bipartisan help (in the Legislature).”
Bailey said that since getting his name officially on the ballot, he has run a full campaign.
“Four weeks from the primary, I started putting signs in the ground and without a lot of money invested into the campaign,” he said. “Things are starting to happen.”
What issues face your district and how will you tackle them?
Bailey said rising fuel costs, the economy, elderly and veteran support and education reform are issues he wants to bring to the Legislature. With no political experience, Bailey said he would get involved on the respective committees, and that he’s a “lifelong learner.”
“I would go in there and I would listen and learn, and I don’t pretend to know everything and have the answers for everything, but I’m a quick study,” he said.
Bailey said Roy and the Legislature need to focus on more short-term solutions to rising energy costs.
“His focus is not Franklin and Medway. It’s wind energy, so he’s kind of lost touch with what’s actually going on here in the town,” Bailey said. “It’s not something that can happen overnight. It’s not going to help anyone now.”
Bailey said the economy needs to be supported, but didn’t specify any particular aspects. He also emphasized additional support for low-income veteran and elderly residents. He said his medical experience would be helpful for public health and public safety committees in the legislature.
“I would bring something different to the House with my life experiences with that in the military, the fire service and teaching,” he said.
This story originally appeared in the MetroWest Daily News.
