The Republican candidates for the primary election for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by former Sen. John Kerry were asked to provide a 500 word or less statement for voters.

They are presented here in alphabetical order based on candidate’s last names.

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By Gabriel Gomez

Gabriel Gomez is a new generation of Republican leader with a great American story.

Gabriel, 47, was born in Los Angeles and is the son of Colombian immigrants. With his mother only knowing a few words of English, Gabriel grew up speaking Spanish before learning English. Like so many other new American families, his parents overcame hardships to create a better life for their children. Gabriel’s upbringing in a grateful, first generation American family instilled in him a duty to give back to his country and led him to successfully seek appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Graduating from Annapolis with merit, Gabriel began his Navy service by earning an invitation to flight school and quickly earned his wings. Gabriel served the country flying E2-C Hawkeyes and C2-A Greyhounds off aircraft carriers.

With a growing sense of obligation and duty, Gomez pursued a transfer into the Navy SEALS, an elite unit where only 20 percent of applicants complete the arduous training. Gabriel was warned that if he failed to make the cut, he would lose his status as a Navy pilot. He succeeded as a SEAL with distinction, becoming the class leader during training and a platoon commander upon completion.

During Gabriel’s first detachment as a SEAL platoon commander, he met his wife, Sarah, who was a Peace Corps volunteer as a special education teacher in the West Indies.

Leaving the Navy in 1996, Gabriel went back to school, received his MBA from Harvard Business School and put his leadership and teamwork experience to use in the private sector. As a Principal with Boston-based investment firm Advent International, Gabriel helped pension funds, endowments, and retirement systems invest for their members’ retirement. He also helped grow smaller, regional businesses into national, household names – like apparel company Lululemon. He experienced how onerous taxes and excessive regulation are barriers to job creation. He also learned what it takes to help businesses and employees prosper and thrive.

Settling in Cohasset with his wife Sarah and their four children, Gabriel coaches for the Cohasset Youth Baseball and Softball Association. He has also served as a volunteer on a number of town committees, and is the President of the Navy SEAL Foundation of New England.

Today our country is in trouble. We are deeply in debt, our budget is out of control, and we face numerous global threats. Gabriel sees politicians in Washington more willing to bicker and fight than to listen and learn, and too little gets done. Now more than ever, Massachusetts needs a leader in Washington with Gabriel’s experience working with others to deliver results.

All his life, Gabriel Gomez has been blessed with great opportunity and has fought for, and earned, what he’s achieved. Now he will fight to earn the people’s vote for the opportunity to become the next United States Senator from Massachusetts.

For more information on Gabriel Gomez go to www.gomezforma.com

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By Mike Sullivan

The concerns of the people of Somerville, across the Commonwealth and across this nation are concerns about the future of our economy and the future of our jobs market. People need to get back to work and to do so we need to fix our overall economy, starting with our spending and debt. We need to take responsibility in solving the problem by enacting real reductions in federal spending.

We need to make the regulations on small business less cumbersome. In my view, many federal regulations and policies could hardly be more hostile to growth and opportunity if they were deliberately designed to do so. Taxes have gone up, and there are so many new rules, regulations and penalties on small business, people can hardly keep up. We need to do everything we can to reduce the burdens that are creating an obstacle to job growth and lowering take-home pay.

Every community in Massachusetts is unique in its heritage and function. Somerville lays claim to being the home of where Fluff was invented by Archibald Query. And, in 1914, the city became the home of the original Economy Grocery Store, which later grew into the Stop & Shop grocery chain. Invention and industry cannot be left in the annals of history for this city and to ensure it won’t be, we must foster business and employer growth. 2012 was witness to the closings of several businesses in Somerville including restaurants and even a large supermarket. This is the wrong direction.

As a United States Senator, reinvigorating the economy for communities like Somerville, will be my top priority.

For more information on Mike Sullivan go to www.mikesullivanforsenate.com

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By Dan Winslow

Regardless which party you affiliate yourself with, it is clear that the political narrative in Washington is stagnant. With neither party willing to find an inch of common ground, what’s needed is a candidate like myself who’s willing to go down to Washington with a record of leadership, and an open mind towards creating solutions for the difficulties facing our country.

Many Americans are still suffering from the economic downturn that hit the nation in 2008, coupled with crushing debt that is nearing $17 trillion. The most recent jobs report released for the month of March showed that while the unemployment rate decreased to 7.6%, the reduction wasn’t caused by growth but rather by a shrinking of the work force. I feel it is imperative to select a candidate who has a plan to grow our economy and provide jobs to those who are looking for employment. I’m the only candidate in this race that has a plan to provide jobs for people across the Commonwealth.

My plan to reform a convoluted tax code in a revenue neutral way, would start with cutting the corporate tax rate from 35%, the highest in the world, to 26% while stopping corporate welfare and taking power away from the million dollar lobbyists that have far too much clout in DC. Small businesses will see a lower marginal tax rate, making the climate more conducive for doing business and hiring employees.

There also needs to be a long term budget plan to ensure that we are spending in a responsible manner, just like adults who have to manage a household budget. We shouldn’t mortgage away our future on pet projects and earmarks that only help certain portions of the country.  Our problems won’t be solved by adhering to the status quo; they’ll be solved by someone who isn’t afraid to go against the grain and push bold, sensible policy ideas. I’ve also proposed an idea to fund merit-based scholarships for college students through a national lottery program.  Leadership is a trait I’ve carried throughout my career as a judge, chief legal counsel to the Governor, and now in my current position in the state legislature. It is this trait, along with my record of dedication that makes me the ideal candidate to represent Massachusetts in the United States Senate.

For more information on Dan Winslow go to www.danwinslow.com