SEEKONK STAR September 14, 2006 TWO SEEK GOP STATE REP SEAT IN PRIMARY

Two seek GOP state rep seat in primary

Though the democratic primary looks to be a heated contest in the race for the District 4 seat soon to be vacated by Representative Phillip Travis, the republican primary has two candidates vying for the seat. Both of those candidates, Steven Howitt and Brian Langevin, are residents of Seekonk.

Steven Howitt

A 1974 graduate of Providence Country Day School, former Seekonk Selectman Steven Howitt received a BS in Business Administration from the Boston University School of Management in 1978, before taking over his father's business, Modern Tractor. He served on Seekonk's cable commission and recycling committee, and was elected to two terms on the town's planning board before serving as a selectman.

Mr. Howitt laid out his platform with a simple acronym: TAB, which stands for Taxes, Accountability, Balance. Mr. Howitt explained that this acronym represented his desire to not raise taxes, the need for taxpayers to know how their money is being spent, and a balancing of the legislature's political makeup.

Mr. Howitt said he wanted to see action taken on a tax rollback that voters had showed support for in 2000, but had yet to be enacted. He also expressed a desire to do something about problems caused by illegal immigration, particularly rising medical costs, which he said were caused in part by illegal aliens getting medical treatment, the cost of which was reimbursed by the state. This, he said, hurt taxpayers, already paying high health insurance costs.

"We're paying for our own insurance and we're paying for theirs too," Mr. Howitt said.

Mr. Howitt said he would like to see employers required to sign an affidavit stating that they will not hire illegal immigrants.

He said the best reason for voters to support him was his business sense.

"Business is just like politics. You have to pick your battles, and that's why I feel I am the most qualified candidate."

Brian Langevin

If Steven Howitt is banking on extensive business and political experience as his principal asset, it could be said that fellow Seekonk resident Brian Langevin is doing the opposite. At twenty-two years of age, Mr. Langevin is second only to Swansea's Nick Bernier for the distinction of being the youngest candidate in the race. A member of the Seekonk High School Class of 2002, Mr. Langevin recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth with a BS in Computer Engineering. And like Mr. Bernier, he argues that his youth is an asset, not a liability, as he does not have the outside commitments that other candidates do preventing him from devoting his attention to Beacon Hill.

"I'm young, and I work 100 hours a week," Mr. Langevin said.

"If I'm 45 years old and I have a wife and three kids, can I do that? I don't know."

Mr. Langevin said he decided to run in part because of suggestions from his friends in UMass Dartmouth College Republican Club, of which he was chairman. He said the key components of his campaign platform included government reform and traditional family values.

"I'm a traditional marriage, pro-life kind of guy," Mr. Langevin said.

"The culture we have today is getting away from that."

Mr. Langevin said that open and accountable government was also a priority for him. Towards this end, he said he would support mandated revenue estimates to be conducted on a regular basis. He said this was common practice in states such as Virginia, and could be used to ease tax burdens for those feeling the financial pinch the most.

"It's tough to raise a family on one income," he said.

"Heck, it's tough to raise a family on two incomes."

Polling places for the primary elections on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Precinct 1: North School, 2 North St.

Precinct 2: Seekonk Public library, 410 Newman Ave.

Precinct 3: Seekonk Town Hall, 100 Peck St.

Precinct 4: Martin School, 445 Cole St.


Democratic primary races:

Governor: Christopher F. Gabrieli, Deval L. Patrick, Thomas F. Reilly

Lieutenant Governor: Deborah B. Goldberg, Timothy P. Murray, Andrea C. Silbert

State Representative 4th Bristol County: Nicholas D. Bernier, Steven J. D'Amico, Robert A. Marquis, John W. Whelan

District Attorney: Paul F. Walsh, Jr., C. Samuel Sutter

County Commissioner: Maria F. Lopes, Gregory DeMelo, Perry C. Long


Republican primary races:

Senator In Congress: Kenneth G. Chase, Kevin P. Scott

State Representative 4th Bristol Distrct: Steven S. Howitt, Brian D. Langevin


BY VINAYA SAKSENA