As a proud veteran who served our nation with honor, I am running for Congress as a Republican because Massachusetts families deserve better than one-party rule that has driven up costs, strained services, and left too many residents struggling to get by. For decades, Beacon Hill’s entrenched Democratic leadership has prioritized big government over practical results, resulting in sky-high housing prices, burdensome taxes, a persistent opioid epidemic, and challenges in education, healthcare, public safety, and economic competitiveness. Massachusetts voters across the state—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—are united in their concerns about affordability. Recent polls show housing costs as the top issue, with nearly 45% of voters ranking it among their greatest concerns, followed closely by the overall cost of living, taxes, and economic pressures. Families are being priced out of the communities they love, young people are leaving for more affordable states, and seniors worry about fixed incomes. Additional concerns include access to quality healthcare, strong education for our children, public safety amid visible homelessness and substance abuse (particularly in areas like Boston’s Mass and Cass), immigration enforcement, infrastructure and transit reliability, and government transparency and accountability. As your representative, I will bring a veteran’s discipline, fiscal responsibility, and bipartisan problem-solving mindset to Washington. Here are the key issues Massachusetts voters care about most—and concrete, common-sense solutions I will champion.1. Housing Affordability and the Cost-of-Living Crisis. Housing is the number one concern for Bay State voters. Record-high home prices, soaring rents, and limited supply have made it difficult for working families, young professionals, and retirees to stay in Massachusetts. The state needs an estimated 222,000 additional homes by 2035 just to stabilize prices and meet demand. Ballot initiatives in 2026 reflect this urgency, including proposals for starter homes on smaller lots (as small as 5,000 square feet in areas with adequate infrastructure), rent increase caps, and property tax relief. While some push for rent control or stabilization measures that cap annual increases, history and economic evidence show such policies often discourage new construction, reduce housing quality and maintenance, and ultimately worsen shortages by shrinking supply.
Solutions:
• Aggressively increase housing supply through targeted, pro-growth zoning reforms that encourage more homes while respecting local control and neighborhood character. This includes supporting “by-right” development for starter homes, duplexes, triplexes, and up to four-unit buildings (missing middle housing) on appropriately sized lots served by water and sewer infrastructure—reducing the need for costly variances or special permits that delay projects for years.
• Eliminate or reform exclusionary single-family zoning where it prevents reasonable density, and remove arbitrary barriers like excessive minimum parking requirements, over-sized lot mandates, and overly restrictive height or setback rules that drive up costs without improving livability.
• Streamline permitting processes at the local and state levels to cut red tape and unnecessary regulations that inflate construction costs. Offer incentives such as sales tax exemptions for building materials used in affordable and middle-income housing projects, and fast-track approvals for developments that include a mix of market-rate and attainable units.
• Promote accessory dwelling units (ADU’s)—often called “in-law apartments” or backyard cottages—by making them easier to build on existing single-family lots, with reasonable standards for safety and parking, to add housing without large-scale redevelopment.
• Leverage federal tools and partnerships to expand home ownership opportunities, including tax credits for first-time buyers and veterans, down-payment assistance programs, and reforms to Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other incentives that reward actual production rather than bureaucracy.
• Oppose blunt rent control or statewide caps on rent increases, which historically shrink rental supply, depress property values (potentially leading to higher taxes or service cuts for everyone), and shift costs onto homeowners. Instead, focus on boosting overall production to naturally moderate prices through increased supply and market dynamics.
• Prioritize redevelopment of underutilized state-owned land, greyfields, and transit-oriented sites for mixed-income housing, while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and historic neighborhoods.
• Support measures to cap excessive property tax increases where they burden fixed-income families, paired with spending restraint to avoid shifting costs elsewhere.
These supply-focused steps—emphasizing abundance, opportunity, and practical incentives over scarcity and heavy-handed price controls—will increase housing options, ease pressure on rents and home prices, help retain young families and workers, and keep Massachusetts competitive for the long term.2. Taxes, Government Spending, and Economic Competitiveness. Massachusetts has one of the highest overall tax burdens in the nation, with a 5% flat income tax, high property taxes, and ongoing proposals for further increases or surtaxes. Voters are frustrated by rising costs at the pump, grocery store, and in property bills, which threaten our state’s ability to attract and retain businesses and talent. Ballot questions on reducing the income tax rate to 4% and capping property tax increases highlight this widespread concern.
Solutions:
• Fight for lower taxes, including support for phased reductions in the state income tax rate to improve take-home pay and competitiveness.
• Demand greater fiscal restraint in Washington and partner with state leaders to audit government spending rigorously—building on voter-approved efforts for legislative transparency.
• Promote pro-growth policies: reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses, support targeted tax incentives for key industries (tech, biotech, manufacturing, and defense), and oppose unfunded mandates that raise costs for families and employers.
• Work to bring federal resources back to Massachusetts efficiently, ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver results rather than bureaucracy.
A leaner, more accountable government will put more money back in residents’ pockets and strengthen our economy.3. Healthcare Access and the Opioid/Substance Abuse Epidemic. Massachusetts boasts world-class medical institutions, yet many residents face high premiums, long wait times, and uneven access—particularly for behavioral health. The opioid crisis and public drug use, visible in homelessness hotspots, continue to devastate families and communities, with ongoing needs for treatment, recovery housing, and prevention. Solutions:
• Protect and strengthen Medicare and veterans’ healthcare while pursuing market-based reforms to lower costs, increase transparency in pricing, and expand access to primary care and telehealth.
• Increase federal support for evidence-based addiction treatment, recovery coaches, sober housing, and harm-reduction programs paired with accountability measures. Build on state efforts by securing grants for expanded treatment capacity and workforce development in behavioral health.
• Advocate for policies that address root causes, including mental health integration and support for families affected by addiction.
Practical, compassionate solutions focused on results—not just spending—will save lives and reduce the burden on emergency services and communities.4. Education and Workforce Readiness. Parents want excellent public schools that prepare children for success, yet concerns persist about academic standards, funding efficiency, and outcomes in some districts. Rising costs and debates over testing and curriculum have left many families seeking better options.
Solutions:
• Champion parental rights, school choice (including charter schools and vocational programs), and high academic standards with accountability.
• Support increased funding for K-12 education tied to measurable improvements in reading, math, and workforce skills—especially in STEM fields aligned with Massachusetts’ innovation economy.
• Expand apprenticeships, community college partnerships, and veteran transition programs to build a skilled workforce that keeps high-paying jobs in the state.
Strong schools and training pipelines will secure our children’s future and Massachusetts’ economic edge.5. Public Safety, Immigration, and Border Security. While Massachusetts is generally safe, visible issues with homelessness, public drug use, and retail crime in some cities have heightened concerns. Voters also want secure borders and fair immigration policies that respect the rule of law while supporting legal pathways.
Solutions:
• Back law enforcement with resources for community policing, mental health co-response teams, and targeted interventions in high-need areas like urban encampments.
• Enforce existing immigration laws, secure the southern border, and prioritize legal immigration that benefits our economy—while opposing sanctuary policies that strain local resources.
• Support federal grants for local public safety and recovery programs to address the intersection of addiction, homelessness, and crime.
These measures will restore order and public confidence without compromising compassion.6. Infrastructure, Energy, and Environmental Stewardship. Reliable transit (MBTA), roads, bridges, and affordable energy are essential. Voters worry about climate impacts, high energy costs, and the need for resilient infrastructure.
Solutions:
• Secure federal funding for MBTA modernization, road repairs, and broadband expansion while demanding accountability for project delivery and cost overruns.
• Promote all-of-the-above energy strategies—including nuclear, renewables, and domestic production—to lower costs and enhance reliability, avoiding overly rigid mandates that raise household bills.
• Support practical environmental protections that balance conservation with economic growth.
7. Government Accountability and Election Integrity. Many Massachusetts voters support greater transparency, such as auditing the legislature, public records access, and measures like voter ID alongside same-day registration debates.
Solutions:
• Champion full transparency and audits of government spending at all levels.
• Support secure elections with integrity measures (voter ID where appropriate) that maintain access for eligible citizens.
As a veteran, I understand the importance of earning public trust through service and results.

Massachusetts has immense strengths—our innovation economy, world-class institutions, resilient communities, and patriotic spirit. But one-party dominance has led to complacency on affordability and accountability. As your Republican Congressman, I will work across the aisle where possible, stand firm on conservative principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, strong national defense, and individual liberty, and deliver real solutions for the issues that matter most to you. Veterans know how to get the job done under pressure. Let’s bring that ethos to Congress to make Massachusetts more affordable, safer, and prosperous for all families. I humbly ask for your support in this campaign. Together, we can restore common sense and opportunity in the Bay State.

*Paid for by the Committee to Elect Gary Grossy for Congress.