One year after taking office as a state representative, Andover Rep. Paul Adams has set his eyes on another position: the senate seat occupied by state Sen. Barry Finegold, also of Andover.
Adams announced last Thursday, Feb. 2, that he will challenge Finegold (D-Andover), labeling him a tax-and-spender.
Adams, 30, a freshman Republican who lives on High Street, was elected to the 17th Essex House seat after beating Democrat Patricia Commane of Andover in the Nov. 2, 2010 election. That representative seat serves parts of Andover, Dracut, Lawrence and Tewksbury, but the seat will change with redistricting, forcing Adams to move to remain in the district.
Adams did not return phone calls from the Townsman.
His announcement letter said he's "grown increasingly concerned about the fiscal health of our commonwealth, the continued unemployment and part-time job crisis, and the culture of corruption on Beacon Hill."
He also wrote about Gov. Deval Patrick's plans to raise taxes.
"Patrick is calling for another $1 billion spending by increase, breaking last year's all-time record, and he wants to raise your taxes again," Adams wrote.
Coincidentally, Adams now sits in Finegold's former seat. Finegold served as Andover's state representative from January 1997 to January 2011.
He was elected senator when former Sen. Sue Tucker retired. Finegold beat Jamison Tomasek in the 2010 election, assuming the senator seat in January 2011.
He intends to run for reelection.
"I will continue to fight for things like jobs and education dollars for Andover," Finegold said. "I will continue to be a relentess advocate for the district."
Finegold would not respond to specific criticisms made by Adams in his announcement letter, including calling Finegold "a perennial tax-and-spender who has grown out-of-touch with the Merrimack Valley."
"For 16 years, my opponent, Barry Finegold, has voted to tax, regulate, and spend. His votes have damaged the state economy, eliminated thousands of jobs, and lowered your standard of living," Adams wrote.
Finegold had no specific comment on those charges.
"Like I said, I am focused on job growth and money for education," Finegold said.
Finegold also is focused on a new baby boy who was due to arrive yesterday, Feb. 8. He and his wife, Amy, and two daughters, were busy mapping out plans for the baby's arrival.
