SAUGUS — A 25-year-old veteran from Saugus will run for state representative in the 9th Essex District.
Democrat Matthew Crescenzo said he is running for the seat currently occupied by state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) because he believes the current political process is not working.
“There is a growing rift between our leaders and the public they are meant to serve,” he said. “The people of this community need leaders who willingly listen and who are there during the quiet times, when no one is looking, and do their best to make a difference in people’s lives.
“As I look at our problems and the lack of effort in finding solutions, I see that the only way to develop real change is for new leadership to engage on the issues that matter,” he said.
If elected, Crescenzo said he would focus his efforts on healthcare for veterans and the treatment of mental health and addiction.
Not enough is being done to confront the opioid crisis head on, and the longer it takes to address the problem, the more loved ones will die each day, he said.
“Addiction is a mental health issue, not a criminal one,” he said.
People suffering from addiction should be able to come forward without fear of prosecution to receive the care they need, he said. He also believes shortening prescription times can aid the problem.
This issue goes hand-in-hand with discrepancies with the veteran healthcare system and the treatment of PTSD, he said.
“In the military, you’re taught if you need help, you’re weak,” he said. “That’s not the case. Vets should be encouraged to get help.”
Crescenzo is a U.S. Army veteran who served overseas in Afghanistan and South Korea as a communications specialist security officer.
“As a veteran, I know we can no longer rely on the government to repair the VA at a national level,” he said.”Our veterans deserve the best care we can provide them with no hassle or red tape in their way. Veterans need more than a space for their functions, they need real attention and care. Someone that will never stop fighting for them, the way they never stopped fighting for their country.”
Crescenzo also listed climate change and equal rights as his focal points.
The 9th Essex District encompasses precincts 1, 2, 4-9 in Saugus; precincts 1, 2, 3 and 7 in Wakefield; and Ward 1 precincts 1 and 2 in Lynn.
