The Massachusetts primary is next Thursday, Sept. 8. Five candidates are vying in the Democratic primary for the state representative seat now held by retiring Rep. Timothy Madden; two other candidates not enrolled in any party will appear on the November ballot. The Gazette emailed customized questionnaires to each announced candidate for office asking them to answer two general questions: why Martha’s Vineyard voters should elect them and what their qualifications were for office. The legislative candidates were also asked about their priorities.

Michael G. Heylin
West Falmouth Democrat
State Representative Candidate

Statement

There are several pressing issues facing Martha’s Vineyard, and the next state representative has to be knowledgeable on a variety of issues, be able to show that they have experience in town government in an elected or appointed position, and have his or her feet planted and anchored in our community. The problem with politics across the nation is one thing: politicians. I am not a politician. I am a single income working family. The husband to Pamela and the father to Callen, age four and Aurora, age two. The son to a small business owner in Falmouth, Edward, and to his campaign manager/mom, Karen. I entered this race to create a dialogue where we, as a community, could discuss issues and find the best way to bring a strong voice to the statehouse. If you are looking for a smooth-talking career politician who bounces around from campaign to campaign, often living out of district, who only shows up during election season, that’s not me. This is my home, my children’s home, and your home.

Qualifications

I was born and raised in Falmouth, attended Falmouth public schools and graduated in 1998. After attending Worcester Polytech for M.I.S. and later Fitchburg State University, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and an M.B.A. I spent years traveling the country working for a variety of organizations from CNN to HBO and more. I wanted to give back and built a nonprofit company, RAYCAM, where I mentor dozens of student interns on a regular basis and provide media services to the schools, government, businesses and area nonprofits. Some of the politicians I’ve worked with include district atttorney Sam Sutter and fighting to close Pilgrim Nuclear, state Sen. Marc Pacheco and keeping Taunton State Hospital open, Treasurer Steve Grossman, AG Maura Healey explain earned sick time, Cong. Stephen Lynch as well as events with Senate President Stan Rosenberg and many others. I have extensive local and state level experience. There are many politicians at the statehouse I know, but none I owe.

Priorities

I believe that all the candidates will say we have similar issues: opioid epidemic, affordable housing and the environment. I wanted to focus on issues that are as important, but aren’t being addressed. We need a bill to protect nurses rights, and I would be a champion of that cause. Safe staffing levels should be in the range of 6 to 1 in hospitals; in most cases nurses are tasked with handling far more than that number. It is unsafe for nurses to care for that many patients and the mortality rate is exponentially greater when those numbers go up, that needs to change now. Police, fire and EMTs protect us and safe our lives on a daily basis. The toll the opioid epidemic has had on these brave men and women is taxing and I would push for state funding to ensure all of the heroes among us get adequate services and time to replenish when needed. Finally, I would push for term limits and the end of lobbyist money. Tell career politicians and insider lobbyists this is our seat, not theirs.