Thank You! more »
Jen Benson with son Noah
A message from Jen:

"I want to thank the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly on my campaign, and to especially thank the voters of the 37th Middlesex District who have placed their trust in me to represent them in the Massachusetts legislature. I will work hard to live up to your expectations and to fight for you in the legislature."

Jen Benson more »

"As Chair of the Lunenburg School Committee, I have worked with state and local officials to improve our schools. I am committed to using this experience to help grow the Massachusetts economy and to provide you with experienced, independent and effective leadership as your next State Representative." Jen

Jen Benson is running to represent the citizens of the 37th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts State House. Jen is currently Chair of the Lunenburg School Committee and has a strong record of experienced, effective leadership.

Jen is the Democratic nominee in the race to replace Representative Jamie Eldridge who is running for State Senate.


Jen reflects on her nine month campaign
Jen receives Nashoba Publishing endorsement more »

October 31, 2008 — Today Jen received the endorsement of Nashoba Publishing:

Both candidates are newcomers to state service but our pick is democrat Jen Benson. While we believe strongly in the need to increase republican representation in Boston, we also support a strong focus on the people of this district. We like what we hear from Benson; a reflection, no doubt, of her service to Lunenburg town government. We believe she has a good handle on what's important to a town and its people and will bring that understanding to Beacon Hill.

Jen receives Acton Beacon endorsement more »
Jen Benson speaking

October 30, 2008 — Today Jen received the endorsement of the Acton Beacon:

When evaluating the experience of the two candidates for the state House of Representatives, it's easy to see they are both prepared to serve. But when you examine what they say they would do on Beacon Hill, Jen Benson is the lawmaker who would be more effective.

Benson bills herself as a moderate, the kind of Democrat who could have success at the State House by finding middle ground between disparate points of view. She is openly critical of the overblown size of the current state budget that the governor and legislators now have to cut back because of the struggling economy. She's against an increase in the gas tax. Her opponent — Kurt Hayes, a Republican who works for IBM — rails, with good reason, about state spending and the need to help small businesses. But Benson would have more success changing the system from within.

There's little doubt that Benson, chairwoman of the Lunenburg School Committee, will continue the advocacy work Eldridge started on behalf of state education aid reform. As a legislator, she'll need to show her mettle as supporter of the environment and champion of those in need if she is to earn the devotion her predecessor has won in the 6-year-old district.

Jen receives Worcester Telegram endorsement more »

October 27, 2008 — Today Jen received the endorsement of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette:

In the 37th Middlesex District, Democrat Jen Benson of Lunenburg has proved to be an effective leader. As a school committee member she has made difficult choices to contain costs, helping to develop a zero-based budgeting process and rebuilding frayed relations among town boards. She would bring a conciliatory and moderate voice on issues such as charter schools, special education funding and realistic budgeting.

Finance Report Shows Support Across District more »
Jen Benson with mother and daughter

October 28, 2008 — Jen Benson, candidate for State Representative in the 37th Middlesex District, received the vast majority of her campaign contributions from the towns in the 37th Middlesex District, with notable support from elected officials in those towns, according to state reports released this week.

"I have been running a strong, grass roots campaign with a focus on our district and the issues facing its citizens," said Benson. "I am proud that most of the money we have raised has come from individual donors from the towns in the district. I am even more proud of the volunteers that have made phone calls, gone door-to-door and stuffed envelopes-the kind of support that doesn't show up on spreadsheets and finance reports."

Jen Benson to create a business help-desk more »
Jen Benson speaking with voters

October 14, 2008 - Jen Benson, candidate for State Representative in the 37th Middlesex District, said today that if elected she will create a help-desk for businesses so that owners and managers are fully aware of the state sponsored programs to assist in financing, creating business plans, and other services.

"State government provides businesses with many opportunities for economic growth," said Benson. "As the only candidate in this race pledged to be a full-time state representative, I will spend a large part of my time making sure that our businesses know what is available from the state and get what they need from those programs."

"Many businesses don't know about help they can get from Small Business Innovative Research grants, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, or the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation. These programs can be particularly helpful now because of the tightened private credit market," said Benson. "I will be a liaison between these innovative organizations and businesses in the district. I will visit businesses, hold workshops for business owners, and dedicate staff time to make sure they know about these programs."

Harvard Press Guest Commentary more »
Harvard Press Logo

October 10, 2008 — The Harvard Press

I grew up in a working-class family in Rochester, N.H. I have lived in Lunenburg for 12 years with my husband Brent and three children, Hannah, Maya, and Noah, who all attend the Lunenburg public schools. I am currently the chairwoman of the Lunenburg School Committee.

I ran for School Committee in 2003 during a difficult time for our schools. The state had just instituted mid-year budget cuts and our superintendent had to be removed from his position. I won the election for School Committee and began to work toward restoring the relationship between the schools, the other town boards, and the people of Lunenburg. We hired an outstanding new superintendent and we have succeeded in restoring trust in our schools.

I am running for state representative because I want to take the knowledge and experience I have gained at the local level to the State House to work on the critical issues facing our district. I believe that we need to strengthen our economy and create jobs, support public education, work toward a cleaner environment, and make sure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Jen Proposes Help for Small Businesses more »
Jen Benson with voter at farm stand

October 8, 2008 - Jen Benson presented a plan for growing the Massachusetts economy and creating jobs by targeting small business growth at a debate hosted by the Nashoba Chamber of Commerce, Nashoba Publishing, and the Lowell Sun on Monday night.

"Too often, economic development efforts focus only on large companies," said Benson after the debate. "We need to place more of a focus on younger, smaller businesses which are often able to innovate faster and grow more quickly than larger, well-established companies."

Small businesses create the majority of new jobs in the United States and employ roughly half of all private-sector workers.

Benson spoke of two problems faced by entrepreneurs starting small businesses in Massachusetts: limited access to capital in the form of low interest loans, and a burdensome, hit-or-miss permitting process.

Jen Releases Third Policy Paper: The Environment more »
Girls Hiking

October 1, 2008 — Jen has released the third of four policy papers that she is presenting to outline her positions on the major issues facing the district and the Commonwealth. The policy paper is entitled A Sustainable Future for our Environment and contains proposals on investing in the clean energy economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing access to public transportation, and promoting safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.

"Choosing between a cleaner, sustainable environment on one hand and economic viability on the other hand, is a false choice," said Benson. "By pursuing clean energy alternatives and environment-friendly technologies we can grow the economy and create jobs while also producing a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren."

Lunenburg Debate: Closing Statement

"Since I started my campaign in February, I have met face-to-face and discussed issues with countless voters. From seniors who feel disconnected and forgotten, to parents who worry they will never be able to afford college for their kids. They are anxious about the future. We all know that New Englanders are survivors and pride themselves on hard work and dedication. Let's use that energy and dedication to work toward a more prosperous future that benefits us all. This is the vision I have for the district. This is what I'm willing to work for. If you share these values, if you believe that we can make a difference and work toward a better future for our children and ourselves, then I ask you for your vote on November 4th and to support me in this election."

Jen Releases Second Policy Paper: Education more »
Jen Benson listening

September 9, 2008 — Jen has released the second of four policy papers that she is presenting to outline her positions on the major issues facing the district and the Commonwealth. The policy paper is entitled Stronger Education for our Children and contains proposals on special education, education funding reform, transportation aid and increased community college access.

"Every child deserves a quality education," said Benson. "I have spent six years fighting to improve education in our local school district and, if elected, I will do everything in my power get our schools the resources they need to educate the workers and leaders of tomorrow."

The first proposal aims to reform special education funding by tying the funds for a particular student in need of services directly to that student, rather than reimbursing the expenses to the school district after the fact. It also fully funds the student's educational needs, rather than the partial reimbursement that currently exists. The plan would pay for the small increase in cost that would result by establishing reasonable guidelines for payments to special educational providers, and by encouraging delivery of services through the public school districts wherever possible.

Jen Presents Policy Paper on the Economy and Jobs more »

August 19, 2008 — Jen Benson has released the first of four policy papers that she is presenting to outline her positions on the major issues facing the district and the Commonwealth.

"The voters in the district need to know how the candidates stand on the issues, and what specific policies they will support and pursue if elected," said Benson. "As a local elected official I am constantly confronted by the challenges we face as a Commonwealth, and I am running because I want to work towards solutions to those challenges."

The first policy paper addresses the issues of the economy and jobs with specific policy proposals in areas of growing the clean energy economy, infrastructure investment, workforce education, and property tax relief:

Lancaster Debate: Closing Statement

Jen debated her Republican opponent at Lancaster Town Hall on Thursday night, August 28th. There was a great turnout for the debate and a very positive response for Jen and her message of growing the economy and creating jobs, strengthening our schools, and true fiscal responsibility.

In her closing statement, Jen discussed the stakes in this election and her qualifications for the position.

"I have the experience. I have made these tough decisions before. I have a public record to show for it," she said. "So, my suggestion to you: if you want real representation in your towns and on Beacon Hill, the choice is clear. I have been a dedicated public servant for six years. I love what I do. I am honored that my town has elected me and re-elected me and trusted me with a $15 million budget in Lunenburg, and I will continue that service for you in this position."

Two Different Approaches in Race for House Seat more »
Jen Benson Working

July 1, 2008 — PolitickerMA.com

...Benson is currently serving her sixth year on the Lunenberg School Committee, which she now chairs. Her campaign is rooted in that experience, which, she said, has prepared her to work in the state legislature to improve the education system and secure more money for the district. Education, she said, is one of the most important issues facing the community.

"Education is one of the biggest services our state provides," she said. "It effects our future. The children are the leaders of tomorrow."

Benson has also worked as the committee's liaison to the town's finance committee, so she said she has an understanding with the budget process.

"I have a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge on how state funding is affecting the town," she said. "That experience, on a broad level in a town, is very important. That relationship between the town and the state is vital."

...When asked how she plans to differentiate herself from Hayes, the former independent, Benson said she only plans to worry about her message and her campaign.

"My focus is talking with voters every day and having a serious conversation," she said. "I am not focusing at all on his campaign. I am focusing on what I need to do to help this district."

"I am running a very serious campaign," she added. "I'm a very practical person. I am not interested in political games."