Massachusetts State Representative 9th Bristol District Candidate 2026
Joined October 2022
- Tweets 33,720
- Following 547
- Followers 25,009
- Likes 29,331
3,196 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
Jun 13
Isn't this a conflict of interest?
One of the executive leaders at a nonprofit getting the “immigrant funds” that Boston City Councilor Ben Weber is reallocating from the police budget……is his wife.
Alexandra “Xan” Weber serves as Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President at the International Institute of New England, which receives city grants through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA).
As Ways & Means Chair, Weber proposed budget amendments to restore/add funding to these immigrant services (including cuts from the police budget).
Should a Boston city councilor be able to push budget changes that could benefit his wife’s nonprofit?
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Governor Healey posted this video on facebook, telling supporters there’s a real difference in November and that she needs their help knocking on all the doors. She’s asking folks to talk to families, friends, and co-workers about this election for the governor’s seat.
She says this race is really important and the choice couldn’t be more clear. According to her, Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve stand with Trump but she stands with you.
Worried about housing, affording rent, or buying a home? She says she’s your girl.
Worried about food security and feeding your family? She’s your girl.
Worried about healthcare or how your aging parents are going to get care and a place to live? She says she’s got you.
At the end of the day, she wants people to know who’s on their side, who believes in them, and who’s fighting for them while painting her opponents as just a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, who she claims has hurt our economy, our families, our state, and our country. She’s reminding everyone that she’s going to be the governor for them and has their back.
Here’s the reality check, though…
Instead of fixing the problems right here in Massachusetts, she keeps blaming the Trump administration for her issues. If it were really Trump’s fault, every single state would be dealing with the exact same struggles right now. But they’re not.
Massachusetts families are tired of the excuses. We deserve a governor who actually solves problems instead of pointing fingers at Washington.
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 13
Isn't this a conflict of interest?
One of the executive leaders at a nonprofit getting the “immigrant funds” that Boston City Councilor Ben Weber is reallocating from the police budget……is his wife.
Alexandra “Xan” Weber serves as Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President at the International Institute of New England, which receives city grants through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA).
As Ways & Means Chair, Weber proposed budget amendments to restore/add funding to these immigrant services (including cuts from the police budget).
Should a Boston city councilor be able to push budget changes that could benefit his wife’s nonprofit?
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 12
To everyone living on fixed incomes in Massachusetts, I hear you.
I received a heartfelt letter from a senior who I met at the Massachusetts Republican Convention who is living on a fixed income right here in our Commonwealth. It really touched me, and I wanted to share it with all of you.
He asked me not to deposit the check until this Wednesday, June 10th. That’s when he receives his Social Security check, which comes on the second Wednesday of every month. His state pension from the Massachusetts Court System arrives at the end of the month or even the last Friday of each month.
He wrote:
“Not easy living on a fixed income… in Massachusetts and under Governor Maura Healey and the Democrats in control of the State Senate and State Legislature. That is why we need to elect more Republicans to our state Legislature and Senate.”
This is not the only time I’ve heard this. Just the other week at one of our Coffee & Conversations meet and greets, I spoke to another unenrolled voter who was sharing the exact same struggles and frustrations about living on a fixed income.
These stories are a powerful reminder of the real challenges our retired residents face every single month just to get by.
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 11
To everyone in Massachusetts who wonders who negotiates the ridiculous prices we pay for all these contracts?
Fall River Reporter dropped details from a public records request on the **Braga Bridge** lighting and safety upgrades contract (the $16.8 million one MassDOT approved with Coviello Electric & General). Buried in the bid tab: 400 day-time traffic cones for traffic management.
State engineers estimated $25 each ($10,000 total).
The contractor bid $3,500 per cone.
MassDOT approved the full $1.4 million.
Yes, you read that right. $3,500 per traffic cone. Regular orange cones you can buy online go for about $25 even in bulk.
The contractor later explained they were rolling in labor for a three-man crew doing nightly setup and removal (supposedly over $3,000 per shift). MassDOT questioned the price… then approved it anyway with no further response.
So here are my questions:
Why are we paying $3,500 for a traffic cone?
Who at MassDOT signed off on this?
And how many more “hidden” costs like this are in our infrastructure contracts?
Our roads and bridges need real fixes, not $1.4 million cone bills. And you wonder why they don’t have any state aid to send to cities and towns.
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 10
Will there ever be any transparency in Massachusetts as Governor Healey refuses to answer whether she supports or opposes the legislation that recently passed both the House and Senate regarding the scope of legislative audits and other oversight measures.
Critics argue the bill would significantly limit the voter-approved legislative audit that 72% of Massachusetts voters supported in 2024. Supporters say it addresses constitutional concerns and clarifies the audit process.
Either way, many residents are still waiting to hear where the Governor stands.
Will she sign it?
Will she veto it?
Or will she push for changes?
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Jun 10
Dartmouth American Legion Baseball
I was honored to throw out the ceremonial first pitch this past Monday and spend the evening meeting voters, introducing myself, and talking about the issues that matter most to our community.
The highlight of the night, though, was watching my niece perform a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. It was a proud family moment and a great way to kick off an evening of hometown baseball.
Thank you to everyone who took a moment to chat. I enjoyed every conversation and look forward to meeting many more of you on the campaign trail.
Play ball! ⚾
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 9
Quick heads-up in Massachusetts on something hitting close to home for a lot of us. 54 towns across the state are pushing Proposition 2½ overrides this year. The second-highest number since the early ’90s. For those who haven’t dug into it yet, Prop 2½ caps how much your property taxes can go up each year (2.5%). An override is when a town asks voters to say “yes” to going above that limit so they can keep services running without massive cuts.
Why so many this year? State aid is running about 5% below the national average (we rank 38th out of 50 states), health insurance costs are exploding, and inflation is eating everything else. Without these overrides, officials say we’d see layoffs in schools, shorter library hours, slower fire/police response, and cuts just about everywhere. It’s not one department; it’s the whole community feeling it.
At the same time, our state legislators need to do more to bring additional state aid into their districts. Stronger local aid from Beacon Hill would help ease the pressure on property taxes and take some of the burden off these tough town-level override votes.
A few examples making headlines:
- Easthampton: $6.9 million override on the ballot **TODAY June 9**. For a typical $418,000 home, that’s about $1,200 extra a year (~$100/month). Without it, teachers could get cut and kids lose programs.
- South Hadley: After a “no” vote in April, they’re likely heading back to the polls in early September for another shot to protect the library, schools, and fire department.
- Hadley: Already passed a $1.5 million override last week.
It’s classic Massachusetts local democracy in action; your vote decides whether we invest a little more to keep our towns strong or risk losing the services we count on.
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 8
Another pride day to everyone in Massachusetts tired of elected officials ignoring the torrent of criticism from residents and stubbornly pushing ahead anyway, and now the Senate throwing **$260,000** of good taxpayer money after bad on “trans period pride.”
What people want to be makes no difference to me. Live your life. But using taxpayer dollars to fund feminine products for trans men is not the right approach. We don’t need menstrual equity consciousness-raising about trans experiences with menstruation.
We already know how biology works. Trans men know how to work and pay for their needs like everyone else. That money would be far better spent on essential services that many cities and towns across the state are already making tough choices just to keep the lights on.
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 7
Warning to everyone in Massachusetts who doesn’t see the real issues piling up in our state while the rest of America keeps growing.
While the rest of America added 172,000 new jobs in May, Massachusetts has already lost more than 5,500 jobs so far this year.
Higher taxes, skyrocketing costs, and a hostile business climate created by Beacon Hill are driving employers and opportunities right out of our state.
This is no surprise. It’s the direct result of the policies that punishes job creators and hurts hard-working families.
Residents are the ones paying the price with fewer opportunities and a state that’s losing ground fast.
It’s time to stop the bleeding and make Massachusetts competitive again.
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Jun 8
Let the Mass legislature know your displeasure with the lack of transparency.
Jun 8
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
***EMERGENCY LEGISLATIVE CALL TO ACTION***
Below is the recommended script to oppose MA bill H.5469, An Act Promoting Transparency and Public Access in State Government. H.5469 would ignore the will of the people, expressed in their 72% vote to audit the legislature.
Please click the link below and you will see that this bill would do the exact opposite of what its title suggests.
malegislature.gov/Bills/194/…
This bill was just introduced on June 3 by the House Committee on Ways and Means and it appears they are trying to fast track it through the legislature.
We recommend sending the emails to your State Rep, State Senator, and the members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means whose email addresses are below.
You can use this script, modify it, or create your own response.
Thank you for supporting this important effort!
Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov; Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov;
paul.feeney@masenate.gov; Michael.Brady@masenate.gov;
Nick.Collins@masenate.gov; brendan.crighton@masenate.gov;
John.Cronin@masenate.gov; Lydia.Edwards@masenate.gov;
Adam.Gomez@masenate.gov; Robyn.Kennedy@masenate.gov;
Paul.Mark@masenate.gov; Liz.Miranda@masenate.gov;
Jacob.Oliveira@masenate.gov; Pavel.Payano@masenate.gov;
Mike.Rush@masenate.gov; Patrick.OConnor@masenate.gov;
Ryan.Fattman@masenate.gov; kelly.dooner@masenate.gov
Dear Senate Committee on Ways and Means,
I urge you to reject House Bill H.5469, An Act Promoting Transparency and Public Access in State Government, or any similar bill that may be put before your committee. H.5469 directly undermines the will of Massachusetts voters.
In November 2024, voters strongly passed Ballot Question 1 with a 71.57% majority. The initiative amended Chapter 11 of the General Laws. It gave the independently elected State Auditor clear power to audit the “accounts, programs, activities and functions” of the General Court (the Legislature). Voters wanted real, independent oversight of how the Legislature spends taxpayer money.
H.5469 severely weakens this voter-approved law. It limits the Auditor to only narrow “administrative functions” — specifically budget adoption, official audits, expenditure of funds, and monetary settlements. The bill excludes core legislative activities, restricts records to fiscal year 2021 onward, and removes court enforcement. Judges cannot compel compliance. Any disagreements are simply noted in the final report with no real remedy.
This bill allows the Legislature to unilaterally change and limit a law passed directly by the people. It betrays public trust and independent accountability.
Please honor the voters’ clear intent and defeat H.5469.
Sincerely,
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 6
Mass. lawmakers are weighing a proposal to keep rent control off the November ballot, but this is Beacon Hill trying to sneak rent control in through the back door anyway.
A coalition of housing advocates is pushing legislation that would let cities and towns opt into rent increase caps (tied to inflation plus 5 percent, with a maximum of 10 percent). Supporters, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, call it a way to avoid a “costly and contentious” ballot fight. Translation: they want government price controls on housing without letting voters have their full say.
Here’s the reality for everyone in Massachusetts: rent control doesn’t fix the housing crisis. It makes it worse. We banned it 32 years ago for good reason. It discourages new construction, shrinks supply, and drives up costs for everyone else while hard-working families already get crushed by sky-high rents and home prices.
Beacon Hill keeps choosing more government control over the actual solutions: cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and letting the market build more housing. Same playbook that’s made Massachusetts one of the least affordable states in the country.
This isn’t leadership. It’s doubling down on the policies that are pushing families and businesses out.
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Chester Tam retweeted
Jun 5
They want everyone in Massachusetts to use public transit and yet millions upon millions continue to get thrown at the MBTA, but nothing ever seems to get better.
With just days left before the World Cup arrives in Massachusetts, state officials and MBTA leaders showcased what they call a key piece of the region’s transportation plan: the newly upgraded Foxboro Commuter Rail Station. They cut the ribbon, patted themselves on the back, and told us it’ll handle the expected 20,000 riders per match at Gillette Stadium with faster boarding and bigger crowds.
Here’s the reality for the rest of us: this is the same MBTA that struggles with daily delays, breakdowns, and skyrocketing costs for the people who actually live and work here every single day. Now they’re rushing to make it look ready for the world stage while Beacon Hill Democrats have spent years prioritizing everything except reliable, affordable transit for Massachusetts families.
It's great for photo-ops for the cameras and last-minute fixes for big events, while the rest of us keep paying the price. Will this upgrade actually deliver, or are our tax dollars just being tossed down the drain?
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