Rep. Jason Lewis Running for State Senate

By Nate Homan

Rep. Jason Lewis is a candidate for the 5th Middlesex State Senate after Melrosian and former Sen. Katherine Clark was elected to Congress on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

"Katherine Clark was a terrific representative who leaves big shoes to fill," Lewis said. "She was very effective in getting results and was a strong leader for the 5th district."

Lewis, a Democrat from Winchester who represents both Winchester and Stoneham, is the first candidate to announce their intentions of running for the vacated seat. The primary for is scheduled for March 4.

"I’ve learned that hard work, independent leadership, and a commitment to the concerns of local families can produce great results, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in the legislature these five years," Lewis said in a press statement. "We’ve had great success in Stoneham and Winchester and I’m looking forward to getting to know the families of Malden, Melrose, Reading, and Wakefield as we kick off this campaign for State Senate."

In a phone interview with Patch, Lewis said that his three main priorities are the economy, education and healthcare. Lewis said that he hoped to build on the success already present in the 5th district. His goals are to help the flood mitigation process in Winchester, help build new schools, help the development of the Greenway Bike Path in Stoneham and improve the public transit in the area.

As a representative, Lewis secured $2.5 million in state funding for the flood mitigation projects and $5 million in federal and state funding for the Tri-Community Bikeway.

Lewis said that another main focus of his is to contain the costs of healthcare and reduce the rates for chronic preventable diseases. As a representative, Lewis helped to lead the efforts in creating the Prevention and Wellness Trust, which made $60 million in community-based public health and wellness programs in Massachusetts.

Lewis was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2008.