By Erika Brown
With just one day before Tuesday’s special election, voters will consider the contrasts between the three candidates running for the 5th Essex District seat in the MA House of Representatives who met for a final forum that highlighted shared concerns and sharp policy differences.
The forum, hosted by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce last week and moderated by longtime Rockport Town Moderator Bob Visnick, brought together Republican Christina Delisio of Manchester, Democrat Dru Tarr of Gloucester, and Independent Gilbert “Gil” Frieden of Essex.
The three face off in the special election tomorrow, on Tuesday, March 31, to succeed the late Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, who died on Thanksgiving Day.
Local economy and taxes take center stage
All the candidates focused on the pressures facing small businesses and residents, particularly the rising cost of doing business on Cape Ann.
Tarr said small businesses are “under a lot of pressure,” pointing to online commerce as a major disruptor.
“The internet is absolutely dismantling our downtowns,” Tarr said. He argued that the state must play a stronger role in supporting small businesses, particularly by addressing the cost of healthcare, which has been rising at double digit rates for almost a decade.
“Health care is one of the biggest negative impacts to small business,” Tarr said. “Let’s take healthcare needs off of small business.”
Delisio agreed that affordability is central but placed the blame squarely on excessive taxes and regulations. She proposed reducing the 5% state income tax to 4%, “so people will have more to spend.”
Frieden, a former financial planner and the most progressive of the three, pushed back on Delisio’s approach. He said across-the-board tax cuts disproportionately benefit millionaires and, instead, proposed raising the standard income tax deduction to $20,000.
“That would make the first $20,000 of income tax free for everyone,” he said, later adding that, “trickle-down economics is fake.”
Frieden said his campaign is focused on improving what he described as the “internal rate of return on our infrastructure,” and said he is “running to transform care into governance.”
Housing: a massive challenge
All three candidates agreed that housing is one of the most pressing issues facing the district and a major driver of outmigration from Massachusetts.
“If we have demand and don’t have supply, prices go up,” Delisio said.
Tarr called for a incentives to drive a broader mix of housing types, including starter homes, multifamily housing, apartments, and accessory dwelling units. He pointed to two affordable housing developments currently underway in Gloucester by the nonprofit Harborlight Homes as models that could be replicated.
Delisio said she supports expanding ownership opportunities within state mandated programs like Chapter 40B and “Starter Home District” (“40Y”) zoning but criticized the state’s top-down approach.
“We weren’t involved,” she said of state housing mandates.
Frieden took a more expansive view, calling housing access fundamental.
“Housing is a right,” he said.
All three candidates acknowledged that Massachusetts is struggling to retain residents and workers. And Tarr tied the issue closely to housing and workforce development, emphasizing the need for expanded job training and stronger vocational and technical education programs to prepare residents for emerging industries.
Tarr emphasized the importance of leveraging state relationships and resources, pointing to his decade of experience working in Ferrante’s office. He said one of his strengths would be maintaining those connections to ensure Cape Ann continues to receive funding and support.
Delisio agreed that outmigration is a major concern, attributing it largely to high costs. She argued that lowering taxes and reducing energy costs would help keep residents in the state.
When asked what role the state should play in supporting municipalities, Delisio again returned to the issue of taxes and state aid.
“Cape Ann is a cash cow for the state,” she said, estimating that a relatively small share—as little as 20%—of tax revenue returns to the region.
A lighter moment—and local perspective
A lighter moment came when candidates were asked to highlight a Cape Ann community other than their own.
Frieden, asked about Rockport, praised its natural beauty and tourism economy. (“But I’m so good at Essex!” he joked.) Tarr described Manchester as a cohesive and self-reliant community that often seeks technical rather than financial assistance. Delisio highlighted Essex’s heritage, pointing to its agricultural roots, antiques trade, and institutions such as the Essex Shipbuilding Museum.
Final stretch
With no incumbent and a compressed campaign timeline, turnout is expected to play a big role in the special election on Tuesday, March 31.
Tarr closed by emphasizing continuity, saying his experience working alongside Ferrante would allow him to step into the role immediately and continue delivering for the district. Delisio said she would lead the charge on keeping the state out of Cape Ann’s community decisions, and Frieden said he was in the race for the long haul no matter what.
For voters, Friday’s forum was a final opportunity to see clear distinctions among the candidates before Election Day next week.
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