Jeff Dufour: Candidate Profile 18th Essex District
TEWKSBURY, MA — Jeff Dufour is one of two Republicans in the primary to challenge state Rep. Tram Nguyen, a Democrat, in the 18th Essex District.
Dufour, 59, has lived in Tewksbury with his wife Marie for the last 24 years. He works in information systems and management and is running for his first elected office.
Defour has a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine and is a certified financial planner.
The 18th Essex District includes parts of Andover, Boxford, North Andover and Tewksbury. The primary contest is Sept. 1, and voters can also cast ballots early in person or by mail.
Age (as of Election Day)
59
Office sought
State Representative
District
18th Essex District
Party Affiliation
Republican
Family
My wife Marie and I have lived in Tewksbury for the past 24 years.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Not locally, however one of my sisters is a State Representative in Georgia.
Education
I have a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine and have also studied Computer Science, Financial Planning and Project Management.
Occupation
I am currently a Senior Information Systems Project Manager with over 36 years of experience in Information Systems and Management.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None
Campaign website
Why are you seeking elective office?
I hope to become a common sense voice for the people of this district, whose views are more conservative than those of our current representative. Right now, our focus should be on reviving our economy, while controlling spending and taxes. I believe that my professional experience will be valuable as we address the financial crisis resulting from the COVID-19 closures.
How would you rate the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic on a letter-grade scale (A, B, C, D or F), and how would you explain that rating?
C+ : I give the state a passing grade for acting quickly and continuing to monitor the situation. However, while the state has responded aggressively to the health aspects of the issue, other areas have not received adequate attention. The impact of forcing people out of work has long-term economic and social implications, and the state has failed to address the issue of reopening schools.
Is Chapter 40B, the state's affordable housing law, working, and if not what would you change?
Chapter 40B often creates a contentious environment within communities and fails to account for the long-term impacts of the population increase. Housing affordability should be addressed locally through the reduction of costly regulations.
What steps, if any, should the state take toward police reform?
The legislature went too far with the so-called “Police Reform” bill. Our local police are not the problem, yet the state, including the incumbent, treated them as if they were. Our police consist of thousands of highly trained, highly skilled professionals doing an often thankless job for often ungrateful citizens. This has never been more evident than the past few months. Similar to most other professions, they require continuing education and training to keep up with their ever-changing responsibilities but defunding them doesn’t make sense. If anything, they need additional resources to allow them to obtain the tools and training necessary to meet the increasing demands of their jobs.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
The economic impact to Massachusetts associated with the COVID-19 shutdowns is devastating. State revenue is down over $6 billion. Families are hurting. We need to trim the state budget and limit taxes. We also need to help small businesses that create most new jobs.
As the next State Representative, I will focus on reviving the economy, holding the line against taxes, and strengthening public safety.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Unlike the incumbent, I support our police and first responders. I support increased fiscal responsibility, including minimizing taxes and increased scrutiny of state spending. I will make reviving the economy a priority. I will protect people’s wallets. I support improved government transparency. I believe access to taxpayer funded benefits and voting rights are exclusively for our citizens. The incumbent opposes all these positions.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
The incumbent voted for the police reform bill that all the police chiefs in Massachusetts have come out against. If enacted, this bill will jeopardize our public safety. The incumbent has not supported our small businesses which would help get people back to work. The incumbent boldly supports tax and spending increases which place additional financial burdens on her constituency.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have always been a leader, from team captain in high school to IT Director at work. I am a problem solver. In my job I analyze complex organizational, technical, and financial challenges and develop solutions to resolve them. I have always been the champion for my teams, ensuring their voices are heard and that they are recognized and rewarded for their efforts and ideas.
Personally, I seek out and excel at new challenges. I completed my flight training and obtained my pilots license in 110 days; I designed, built and operated a 9-hole public golf course although I had no prior experience in the field. I obtained my Financial Planner certification, although not required for my job, to become more knowledgeable in personal finance. I trained for and ran 5 Boston Marathons on behalf of the Red Sox Foundation although I am not, and never will be, a runner.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
Don’t put off doing the things that are important to you.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I feel I represent the views of most of the everyday citizens of this district, not the extremist views that make the evening news. I am rational and logical, and I think we need more rational, logical thinkers on Beacon Hill.
It’s also important that the voters know what I am not. I am not a career politician. After 36 years in the private sector my career is behind me. I am not an extremist with a hidden agenda. This is not a stepping stone to a higher office. This is my time to give back.
Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.
This article originally appeared on the Tewksbury Patch
