by Christopher H. Roberts

A Somerville native and four-term alderman-at-large has officially announced his candidacy for the 2nd Middlesex state senate seat left vacant by the passing of Charles E. Shannon Jr.

“I am a candidate for this office because I believe that I have a unique combination of experience and skills to best serve the district in these difficult financial times,” said Alderman-at-Large William A. White Jr., chairman of the Somerville Board of Aldermen’s finance committee.

“We simply must have greater accountability in managing our cities, towns and our state government,” he said. “If I am elected, I will use my governmental experience to insure that state government appropriately responds to people’s concerns.”

White, who served ex officio on the Somerville School Committee, said that state educational spending must be scrutinized in order to eliminate waste.

“The state has cut local educational funding to communities, causing the loss of hundreds of teachers at the same time it has funded the construction of new schools. With proper oversight, school construction can go forward at the same time as increases in educational aid without burdening taxpayers,” he said.

White said he was born in Somerville to working-class parents. He graduated with honors from Somerville High in 1973, and went on to attend Harvard University and Georgetown University Law School.

After clerking for a federal judge, White returned home to practice corporate law, all of which gave him a unique perspective on Massachusetts politics, he said.

“My twenty years experience as a corporate attorney has shown me the real world pressures facing businesses in the Commonwealth.  This state must be innovative and implement programs that will lead to the creation of good paying jobs,” he said.

“At the same time, by serving as a Somerville alderman for eight years, the last three as chairman of the Committee on Finance, I have an understanding of the financial issues affecting the district and its residents,” he said.

White said his campaign for the state senate will be consistent with his personal philosophy, rather than strict adherence to his party’s platform. “I became a Republican because of Francis Sargent.”

During the building of Route 93, there was a plan to connect the highway with Route 2, which meant that his own house was scheduled for demolition, White said.

White said Sargent stopped the highway project that would have benefited his suburban supporters because he knew it was the right thing to do, regardless of the politics. “I looked at a Republican governor, who made a decision to save the homes of Democratic voters, and I was impressed.”

“Government best functions in this spirit of cooperation between state and local officials,” he said. “I want every elected official in the district to know that I will have an open door to discuss solutions to the problems impacting their communities.”

“People who have benefited from the help of others should, in turn, contribute to help society,” he said.

“My grandparents were immigrants and I grew up in a working-class section of Somerville.  I was only able to go to college and law school as a result of scholarship aid and the help of many people.  I, therefore, believe it is appropriate for me to give back to the community.”   

White said that so far his campaign has been running smoothly. “We’ve been getting a positive response from voters in the community. It’s an important office and people are always willing to talk to the candidates,” he said. White spent last Saturday at the Winchester transfer station, where he was able to talk to hundreds of voters.

“It’s an excellent place to meet people,” he said.

Both the Republican and Democratic Primaries for the 2nd Middlesex Senate seat will be held on Aug. 27, with the General Election to follow on Sept. 30.

White is currently the only Republican in contention for the vacant seat, but he can’t take that for granted, he said.

“There’s still a month and a half left for anyone who wants to run to file the necessary papers,” he said. White said that his campaign will continue on regardless of competition. “I’m going to continue going door to door in order to speak face-to-face to as many voters as possible.”

White won’t let his campaign distract him from his duties as Alderman, he said. “When the Mayor’s office submits the budget proposal to the Finance Committee, there will be a two week period during which I’ll have to take a break from campaigning.”

“There won’t be any summer vacation for me this year,” he said, laughing.