As Rep. William Straus (D-Mattapoisett) completes 29 years as incumbent 10th Bristol District Representative, he will have some competition from a new face. 

First-time candidate Richard Trapilo is running to unseat Straus, disagreeing with him on several hot topics. 

On Sept. 6, Tri-town residents will cast their votes, and the chosen democratic candidate will face off against a Republican challenger on Election Day, Nov. 8. 

RICHARD TRAPILO

Richard Trapilo is running to be the Representative of the 10th Bristol District because of his “traditional blue-collar democratic values,” he said.

Trapilo said that from his perspective as a former business executive, the largest issue facing voters is that they are living in “Taxachusetts.” 

On education, Trapilo said he would work to increase funding for vocational education and for science and technology education in k-12 classrooms. 

Trapilo also proposed a free meal program for all students, saying, “No child in this Commonwealth, or in this district, should be in a classroom hungry.”

He emphasized that good political leaders are judged based on how they treat the neediest in society — children and senior citizens. 

“What absolutely disappoints me in our political leadership is that those senior citizens are still having to pay for the medical [coverage],” said Trapilo. “I will fight to finally have medical [coverage] available to senior citizens at no cost.”

He added that along with funding healthcare coverage for seniors, he would also work to fund counseling and treatment for people dealing with substance abuse issues — a plan that he said would reduce crime rates.

Trapilo has previously called out his opponent’s support of a 2020 police reform bill, calling the legislation “punitive” toward police. 

He said that rather than “put handcuffs on police officers, micromanaging their activities,” he would increase police funding, focusing on better training “helping them be more proactive with the community to help with issues such as drug dependence and violence.”

Trapilo also vowed to reform the MBTA, which he calls “a national disgrace.” He said there is no reason why Massachusetts could not have a high-speed rail system on par with other countries.

“My opponent has squandered money with a lack of any innovation,” said Trapilo, referring to Straus’ role as Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee. 

During a Democratic candidate’s night in Marion, Straus insinuated that Trapilo was not a true Democrat, saying that he is “running in the wrong primary.”

To this, Trapilo said, “I'm a Democrat, but first and foremost, I'm an American fighting to get tax relief at the pump and tax relief from this horrifically overtaxed state of ours.”

REP. WILLIAM STRAUS

Rep. William Straus is running for re-election as Representative of the 10th Bristol District, a position he has held for 29 years. 

He faces challenger, and first-time candidate, Richard Trapilo in the Democratic party primary. 

“There are still a number of projects and issues that I'd like to continue to work on,” said Straus.

Early in his tenure as representative, Straus supported the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, which established Chapter 70 funding for public schools, which allots state funds to school districts based on need and size. 

“I'm very proud that not only did we make that commitment, but we've kept our word for the increases in funding and that it has delivered results to the point where Massachusetts students rank at the top within the United States for English and math skills,” said Straus.

During his campaign, Straus focused on his commitment to supporting healthcare for people in the district. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said Straus, he supported medical coverage for telehealth appointments.

In addition, he said, “we've also expanded mental health benefits and health care access, particularly for women's reproductive rights.”

One place where Straus and his opponent are opposed is on the topic of police reform. During the state’s last legislative session, Straus supported a police reform bill that Trapilo called “punitive.”

“I don't think anyone who actually read the bill could knowingly say such a thing,” said Straus, who went on to explain that the bill “increased training qualification standards for police and also specifically trained them in violence de-escalation.”

In his role as chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, Straus emphasized his efforts to bring South Coast Rail to fruition, his push to earmark $100 million to replace the bridge connecting Fairhaven and New Bedford, and his work to help fund a bike path through the Tri-town. 

During a Democratic candidate’s night in Marion, Trapilo called Straus an “absentee leader” who is unresponsive to the needs of his constituents. 

To this, Straus said, “I've been a part of the Tri-town community for over 40 years. And that has meant that I view myself as having a responsibility to help my community. And being engaged in the community, I think, has always made me a better informed and responsive legislator.”