West Boylston Selectman Dr. Barur 'Raj' Rajeshkumar is challenging long time incumbent for the 14th Worcester District Jim O'Day in the September 1st primary election. 

Spectrum News spoke with Dr. Rajeshkumar about why he's running for the State Legislature, "I'm running, Worcester and West Boylston deserves a state representative who will be accessible, who will be walking in the neighborhoods, who will listen, who will answer the citizens."

Funding the communities of the 14th Worcester District is a priority of his platform, "I will start my negotiation even before start of the budget process. I will advocate West Boylston and Worcester, we do deserve lot more than, lot more funds for chapter 70 and special-ed education, more funds for chapter 90 to fix the potholes in Worcester. The Worcester Mayor can do so much without the funding, how can he fix up potholes."

Dr. Rajeshkumar said on the campaign trail the voter-approved audit of the legislature is a often talked about topic, "More than 72% of the people in Massachusetts voted for the audit of the legislators. Representative Jim O'Day voted against along with the other members of the House (Of Representatives). I support audit. This is taxpayers money. What are we hiding? I support 100% of the audit, not only me. When I'm walking through the streets, talking to the voters, they all support the audit."

The 14th Worcester contains the town of West Boylston and portions of the northern section of Worcester. Dr. Rajeshkumar said each community presents unique issues, "For West Boylston, we supply, as I said, we supply for water to the reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir to Greater Boston. The PILOT, PILOT money, is not revised from 2014 even after repeated ask from the select board to the state legislature including Representative Jim O'Day as well as Harriette Chandler and current (State) Senator. Whereas in Worcester, we have the problem of homelessness. We have the problem of housing.  We have the problem, people want to be, people want to live in safe neighborhoods. People want to have the, people want to drive on a safe roads."

Dr. Rajeshkumar concluded by saying it's time for new representation for the district, "The election is about whether voter wants more of the same, more of the twenty years or a stronger, independent and accountable voice. I will respect your votes. Fight to make Massachusetts more affordable for seniors and working families. And bring Worcester and West Boylston their fair share of funding for schools, roads, public safety, and essential services. I'm not running for a title. I am running to serve."