Franco: ‘Entrenched politicians’ have directed us in the wrong directionDate: 10/30/2014 GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Mike Franco may be seen as some as a perennial candidate, but the third person in the race to fill the state senate seat in the 1st Hampden District, believes his efforts to run for office are a natural part of his progression as an activist.
Franco, a long-time fixture in local Republican politics, is not running as a Republican, but instead under the banner of the America First party. He explained he is not a member of that group, but he liked many of the group’s stances on issues.
Although he said that some people may describe him as “a wild card, a spoiler” in the race, he doesn’t see himself that way.
Like his opponents, the economy and job development are big issues with Franco. He believes there needs to be a “change in the culture, especially in the inner city, primarily in the work ethic.”
He added that “entrenched politicians” for the last several decades have taken the county in the wrong direction and cited his immigrant grandparents who took on several jobs to make ends meet.
“We are becoming a welfare estate. How do you reverse that?” he asked.
While most elected officials and candidates in Western Massachusetts speak about the importance of precision manufacturing and how to grow it, Franco believes other kinds of metal fabrication and manufacturing that require “craftsmanship” should be supported. Franco recalled how he worked in manufacturing in the 1990s.
He noted that time and time again he has seen the same business owners involved in efforts to gain government funds for various programs. Franco said one should realize that many businesspeople are not political and he would not try to “enhance crony capitalism.”
Speaking of the issue of homeless families housed in area hotels and motels, Franco said the issue could be solved with “good law and better public policy.”
He criticized his two opponents – Debra Boronski and Eric Lesser – as having ties to special interests.
“My special interest is the people,” he added.
Franco recently left his job as a veterans’ agent for the city of Holyoke. He lives in Holyoke and said the state’s election laws allows him to run for the senate seat even though he does not live in the district. He said that when he assumes the office, he would have to move into the district.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, a candidate for state Senate “must be an inhabitant of the district when elected.”
Franco said he views “honesty in public office as first and foremost.” Although he is a conservative, Franco said he has seen Democratic candidates he has liked because of their honesty and noted that state Rep. John Velis is one of them.
Although Franco has been included in some broadcast debates and forums, he was not asked to be part of the recent debate at the Western New England University School of Law. He said he is “very concerned” about being ignored and believes that any institution that accepts public dollars – even in the form of grants – should include all of the candidates on a ballot.
Franco called his campaign “grassroots” and added, “It’s tough to rally my Republican friends.” He explained that people who support him will be “thrown off committees” and can’t support him publically.
He admitted that running outside of a well-known party is not easy. ”There’s not other choice for me, I have a responsibility to carry the ball and be the candidate,” Franco said.
He said that his role has a candidate for office has been part of a “natural progression” from being a “crusader” about an issue that affects your family or business to being an activist who works on behalf of other people.
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