Tom Merolli of Mendon challenges Ryan Fattman for Senate seat

March 07--It's shaping up to be a millennial vs. millennial race for the Worcester and Norfolk District seat in the state Senate, as 27-year-old Mendon Democrat Tom Merolli is challenging incumbent Ryan Fattman, 33.

"I've been talking to people in other towns, and I feel like the district has not gotten the support it needs from the state," Mr. Merolli, the assistant treasurer and economic development chairman for the town of Mendon, said when asked why he was running. "The common factor in this is a senator that hasn't been delivering."

Mr. Fattman, R-Webster, has held the seat since 2014, when he defeated longtime incumbent Richard Moore. Mr. Fattman ran unopposed in 2016.

The Senate district covers the municipalities of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Dudley, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton, Uxbridge and Webster, and Northbridge Precincts 1 and 3.

Mr. Merolli said he got his first taste of politics working for U.S. Rep. Richard Neal in 2009. He also cited experience working for Sen. Elizabeth Warren's 2012 campaign, assisting a fundraising office at the American Civil Liberties Union in 2014, and working in his current job in Mendon.

"I've been involved in a lot of different areas, and it's about bringing these points of view from different parts, different areas, to Beacon Hill," Mr. Merolli said.

Mr. Merolli identified three major issues that he would like to focus on as a senator.

The first is revising the Chapter 70 funding formula for schools, which he said hasn't been revised since 1993 and does not take into account increased special education needs, English language learners' needs, and the increased costs of health insurance.

"Small towns here are greatly impacted by this. A lot of these towns have to go to overrides (for schools) and when you're already paying property taxes, it can be a burden to you," Mr. Merolli said, noting that it hits young families particularly hard.

He also identified water infrastructure and quality as a concern. He advocated closing loopholes that allow soil reclamation projects near water sources and for more grant funding for water infrastructure projects.

"If you can't guarantee what's coming out of your faucet, I don't know what you can guarantee from your government," Mr. Merolli said.

Mr. Merolli also advocated for more road grants for the district.

"We're trying to get commerce in, but if you don't have quality infrastructure then that's something that can't happen," Mr. Merillo said. "The ways grants are awarded now, you don't see them go to district as much as they should -- there is a lack of representation in that role."

In addition to criticizing Mr. Fattman for not steering enough grants to the district, Mr. Merolli criticized his opponent's voting record.

Mr. Merolli advocated a single-payer health care system, but said Mr. Fattman voted against a study that would examine such a system's effects.

He criticized Mr. Fattman for voting against bills that protected workers from wage theft and protected the rights of transgender individuals.

Mr. Merolli also vowed to reject so-called "dark money" -- or money from groups that do not disclose their donors -- and urged Mr. Fattman to do the same.

As for his tender age, Mr. Merolli said it was a strength.

"My generation has a lot of issues coming out on the horizon that aren't being addressed," Mr. Merolli said. "It's time for us to get our voices heard."

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