Four now in race for Dist. 21 seat

By John Howell
Posted 5/24/16

An already competitive field for the House District 21 seat held by Eileen Naughton got all the more tight last week with Michael Underwood's announcement he is running as an independent. The thrust of Underwood's bid, and those of two

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Four now in race for Dist. 21 seat

Posted

An already competitive field for the House District 21 seat held by Eileen Naughton got all the more tight last week with Michael Underwood’s announcement he is running as an independent.

The thrust of Underwood’s bid, and those of two Democrats who have already declared, is that they would offer an alternative to Naughton and her ties to House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

A veteran of the United States Coast Guard and the owner of a small business, Underwood said in a statement that he is very concerned with developments in the state.

“It’s like watching a slow motion train wreck. It appears 38 Studios was just the beginning, now deemed to be fraudulent by the SEC,” he said.

He goes on to cite truck tolls, which he said are a form of anti-business legislation that will also push up prices for consumers.

“It is very clear that our elected officials are not listening to the people, particularly State Representative Naughton,” he said. “She has voted for every anti-business piece of legislation, including the tolls.”

Underwood said he felt compelled to get in the race for the sake of his future and that of his daughter. He and his wife, Lisa, are parents of a three-year-old girl. He said he sees people leaving the state because of high taxes and the lack of opportunity.

Asked how he leans politically, Underwood considers himself “right down the middle.” He leans toward Republicans on fiscal matters and says he’s “fiscally conservative.” When it comes to social programs, he said he is more like a Democrat.

As an independent, however, Underwood won’t face the tangle of a primary. So far, two candidates have announced they’re running for the seat in addition to Naughton. Ward 3 Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson, who is now serving her third term on the council, is running for the state post. She has opened headquarters on Airport Road and already held a fundraiser.

David Kruzona, who announced his candidacy in April, said, “This is about Eileen Naughton and her continued history of voting the way the speaker told her to.”

On the Republican side, Michael Penta, chair of the Republican City Committee, has said he may run for the post, too.

A graduate of Pilgrim High School, Underwood has attended classes at Cape Cod Community College. He is a 23-year veteran of the Coast Guard who honorably retired in 2009. During his tenure with the Coast Guard, he earned two separate achievement medals and a Coast Guard medal for his heroic lifesaving effort during the Tug-SCANDIA fire and grounding during a storm in 1996. His last three positions were at the command and leadership level.

Underwood has already set his campaign into motion. Mark Dosdourian, who has managed several successful council and state campaigns in the northern part of the state, is his campaign manager. Underwood is on Facebook and said he will shortly launch a campaign website. He has planned a fundraiser for June 11 at the William Shields Post and said he has a team of about 15 volunteers. He plans to walk the district and meet the voters.

Dosdourian, who accompanied Underwood for an interview at the Beacon, said he believes walking the district is key to the campaign.

Underwood owns and operates M &L Home Improvement and Landscaping. Depending on the season, he said he has a staff of three to six. Most of his business is local landscaping.

Underwood feels General Assembly legislators have become “disconnected from the population” and are not paying attention to public feedback.

Underwood has been active in the community. He has donated time and material to A Wish Come True, the Aldrich Junior High School Teacher Memorial Wall, and worked with students in detention at Pilgrim High School.

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  • Momend22

    I like independent candidates. Ms Naughton has to go, she is merely a puppet. Good luck Mr. Underwood, two votes from this house.

    Wednesday, May 25, 2016 Report this