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The following is part of a series of letters to 5th District voters from the candidates in the Sept. 4 primary election. Letters from all five Democrats, and both Republicans, will be printed and posted on our Web site. For a full list, visit our Race for 5th Web page.

My name is Barry Finegold and I’m running for Congress because I’m tired of the same problems going unaddressed day after day, year after year. It’s time to stand up and say we’ve had enough. I’m not more of the same. I will stand up for what’s best for the 5th District, even when it’s politically unpopular. I will work tirelessly for my constituents in Congress, as I have done on Beacon Hill, and I will bring an innovative vision to solving the problems of our time, because sometimes all we need is a little creativity and teamwork.

We sent a message to Congress in November and it seems like no one’s listening. We need to end the war in Iraq, bring our soldiers home, and leave a political solution in place in the region. We need to break our dangerous dependence on oil. We can do that by investing in alternative energies, which will bring jobs and innovation to the 5th District. Above all, we need to restore the possibility of the American dream to each and every citizen of this country. We can do that by making higher education more affordable with better student loans and Pell grants. We can improve our public-private partnerships that bring government, employers and our citizens together to maximize their retirement savings. We can make prescription drugs more affordable so that we don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and medications. 

Through my formula of hard work, tenacity and bold ideas, I was elected to the Andover Board of Selectmen at age 24, becoming the youngest member ever elected. Then, one year later, I was elected state representative representing Andover, Lawrence and Tewksbury on Beacon Hill. Throughout my 11 years on Beacon Hill, I have fought for what’s right. I passed the Baby Safe Haven law, even when people were saying we wouldn’t save any children. To date we have saved six infants. When the traffic on I-93 was crippling our commuters, I fought to open the breakdown lane during rush hour. I pushed for funding for the De La Mano domestic violence hotline, so that women would have a safe place to go and seek help. And when towns around the district were facing high trash fees that would have forced cuts in education and law enforcement services, I co-chaired the NESWC caucus that brought relief.

We can only do this together. I have traveled to all 29 cities and towns in the 5th District, both during my announcement tour and throughout this campaign. Each and every neighborhood, street and house is important to me. Too often our politicians are talking without listening to what is important to his or her constituents. I’m not more of the same. I’ve been listening to you throughout this campaign and will continue to do so in Washington. Only together can we send a message to Washington and fight for what we believe in.