Comtois kicks off second run for Gobi’s seat
BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY

SPENCER NEW LEADER
Friday, June 20, 2008

BROOKFIELD – Republican Stephen J. Comtois II officially announced his candidacy for state representative, overseeing the Fifth Worcester District, on Friday, June 6.

Comtois, a resident of Brookfield, kicked off his campaign at the American Legion Post in Spencer, where he was met by several dozen supporters, including former state Rep. and lieutenant governor candidate Reed Hillman, former North Brookfield Selectman Larry Hasenfus and current North Brookfield Selectman James Caldwell.

Comtois is an independent business owner since 1990, and the former chairman of the Brookfield School Committee.  He is making his second consecutive run for the seat held by Spencer Democrat Anne Gobi.

When asked why he is running for state representative, Comtois said, “Basically, I’m a lifelong resident that realizes a change needs to be made.”

Comtois was born in Charlton before moving to West Brookfield, then ultimately settling in Brookfield in 2002.

The Fifth Worcester District, which he aims to represent on Beacon Hill, includes Brookfield, North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Barre, Hardwick, New Braintree, Petersham, Phillipston, Templeton, Precincts 2 and 3 in Spencer and Precinct A in Ware.

In a press release issued after the announcement, Comtois said, “I believe that Beacon Hill is broken and it is time for a change.”

In a telephone interview on Monday, June 16, when asked to explain this statement, Comtois said, “I think that we need to start making government more efficient.  We need to start making government work for us.”

He went on to say that government has become too far removed from the citizens at large.

“A direct effect of a large bureaucracy,” he said, “is more expense.”

When asked what is on the forefront of his agenda, Comtois said, “I’ve knocked on thousands of doors, I’ve talked to thousands of people, and their top issue is tax relief.”

Beyond tax relief, Comtois said he would focus on special education and the unfunded mandates placed on public school systems.

“That’s why I became involved in politics,” he said, citing this as his influence for initially becoming a member of the School Committee.

Comtois also said he would push for the right of Massachusetts residents to vote on issues such as same-sex marriage and casino gambling, issues on which he says state government has not listened to the voices of the people.

When asked what qualities voters should keep in mind when selecting a representative, Comtois said, “The people of this district have an opportunity every two years to elect someone who helps them, someone who listens to them, who carries their voices to Beacon Hill, who relieves our taxes, and who makes government more efficient.”