Editor’s note: The Light sent questionnaires to all local candidates for legislative office in contested races, asking the same basic questions. These profiles were edited only for consistency and style. We are publishing the responses as we receive them.
Mark Sylvia, candidate for state representative in Bristol’s 10th District. Credit: Contributed
Name
Mark Sylvia
of Fairhaven
Office sought
Mass. House of Representatives, 10th Bristol District
Q&A
Mark SylviaWork and experience: Why are you qualified to run for this office?
I have worked in both government and private business. As Plymouth town manager, I oversaw one of the largest towns in the commonwealth. This enabled me to develop a deep understanding of how municipalities function and how important local services are to residents — from education to public safety to transportation and community services.
I’ve served Fairhaven as a School Committee member and as town moderator, which has instilled in me a deep appreciation for bringing people together locally to solve problems and create opportunities for our communities.
I’ve also worked at the state level as Green Communities director, Department of Energy Resources commissioner, and as undersecretary of energy, responsible for Massachusetts energy policy. I saw firsthand how thoughtful policies and effective programs help citizens reduce costs, create jobs, and combat climate change. I also learned how our legislative and executive branches work and built relationships with legislators, state officials, and other stakeholders, which will allow me to hit the ground running as state representative.
Finally, I’ve worked as an executive in the private sector for the past 10 years, and I understand how businesses play an important role in solving problems, creating jobs, and expanding our economy.
What is your main reason for running?
I grew up here. I owe this community so much. This district is my home. Who I am reflects the six communities that make up this district, and I’m deeply motivated to represent our values in Boston. We all believe in hard work, in showing compassion for each other, and that our strength and success come from working together and building community.
I also believe it is important we elect someone who can hit the ground running right away. I will be your representative on Day 1. I know how to bring people together to achieve our goals. Strong leadership yields results. I will bring with me my immense energy and enthusiasm for our communities. I’ll bring with me my state, municipal, and private sector experience and the relationships I have built throughout my career. And I will bring your voices with me to Boston.
All that I learned growing up here has driven me to help others, to be an advocate, and to improve our quality of life. That is why I want to be our next state representative.
What key issue do you plan to address, and how will you do that?
A key issue is the increasing cost of living. From housing to child care to health care, we all are feeling the impact of these increased costs in our daily lives.
Regarding child care, I will advocate for our district to receive new grant funds for early childhood education and care. I will support expanded early child care training and competitive wages for child care workers. I will support legislation that implements the statewide early childhood education and care plan.
On health care, I will support legislative and executive actions that expand insurance coverage for mental health care and substance abuse services, reduce prescription drug costs, prohibit or significantly regulate for profit health care facilities, and tackle access issues including the lack of primary care physicians.
On housing, the Affordable Homes Act was an important step in addressing affordability and availability. It must be implemented with urgency. I will support legislative actions to quickly implement the Act and I will work with communities and families in our district to access the programs and funding the Act provides. I will also support ways to empower our cities and towns to innovate in zoning to build more housing.
With the country splintered by partisan politics, what do you think needs to be done to get Democrats and Republicans to work together?
To accomplish great things we must work together. We have no time for the politics of division. Too much of that is happening at the national level and we cannot allow it to happen at the state or local levels. Listening to each other, defining the real problems, dealing with facts, and finding common ground, allow us to solve problems together. It is what I hear knocking on doors during this campaign and it is what I learned growing up here.
We are a diverse community, each with our own story to tell, our views, and with the same rights and freedoms and the capacity to be kind to each other. As a town moderator, I work with our town officials, Town Meeting members, and the public to get things done — not based on politics, based on what is best for our community.
As the state representative for our entire district, I will always stand with these principles in mind and do everything I can to make things better for all of us.
Find more local candidate profiles on The Light’s Election 2024 page.