Letter to the editor: Tashjian on the Candidate Forum

I’m Mark Tashjian, running for State Rep to represent my neighbors in Ipswich, Rowley, Hamilton, Newbury, Topsfield, and my hometown of Georgetown. 

When I learned that the Ipswich Democratic and Republican Town Committees planned to host a candidates forum at the Ipswich Town Hall Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m., I was excited! What a great way for my opponent Representative Kassner and me to serve our community together in bipartisan unity, giving you the opportunity to meet and evaluate your potential elected officials. 

Although both campaigns confirmed participation and her team produced fliers, Rep. Kassner decided she will not participate due to a scheduling conflict and she has offered no alternative dates. I will still be attending and it is my hope that Kristin will change her mind.

In 2022, when Rep. Kassner ran against my friend Lenny Mirra (and won by one vote), there was no live forum – only one on Zoom. So I was pleased both candidates could appear in a room together to try to earn your votes. Like town meetings of old, where people gathered together in American camaraderie, I wish to make this race real and in person. Too much of our experience with our representatives is behind an impersonal digital screen. To date, I’ve knocked on over 5,000 doors in our towns, and it is a privilege to meet and talk with so many of you personally!

Growing up, I was immensely shaped by my father’s 20 years on the school committee in Oakham, the small town in central Massachusetts where I grew up, and I knew many of our former representatives, Democrat and Republican. These politicians were true public servants: they were a constant presence in the community and really cared about our lives. They ran to serve their neighbors, not to serve their parties.

I am running to continue this tradition of bi-partisan efforts to champion what is best for our community, including those with minority views who need my voice, and I aim to continue to work to bring our divided towns together. 

Representative Kassner – it’s still not too late to join me!