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.

Timothy M. Soverino
Nantucket Democrat
State Representative Candidate

Statement

As a native Nantucketer, I understand the specific issues and concerns Islanders face. We are unique in our lack of proximity to basic services that people on the mainland don’t face, from health care to housing to education, and the like. An Islander’s perspective is critical to our representation on Beacon Hill. We already have five representatives from Cape Cod in Boston.

Qualifications

I graduated from the Nantucket High School in 1973 and went to work in the trades. When the economy slowed, I went to work as a full-time firefighter/EMT. It was through the Nantucket fire department that I first became involved in politics, serving as union president. Then, following in the footsteps of my grandfather, Irving Soverino, I was elected to the board of selectman. I served in that position for 12 years, learning so much along the way about how local, and state government works. I then was appointed to the Nantucket finance committee for eight years and now serve on the Community Preservation Committee. I believe all of these experiences have set me up in a good position to represent the constituents of this district on day one.

Priorities

I believe the most important issues facing our legislative district are:

1. The opioid crisis.

2. Lack of affordable housing for our year-round population.

3. The economic sustainability of our year-round communities, while balancing the effects on the environment.

4. Continuing to have an Islander represent this district

Note: Mr. Soverino was incorrectly identified as an independent in an earlier version of this profile. The Gazette regrets the error.