South Shore state representatives face opponents in Nov. 8 state election

This is the second of three stories highlighting the South Shore's open seats on this year's statewide election ballot. Click here for a story about state Senate candidates and here for a story about  U.S. House of Representatives candidates. Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 22. 

QUINCY – Three  South Shore state representatives will face opponents in the Nov. 8 state election.

Driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, funding for local projects and protecting open space were among the issues brought up by candidates.

Chan v. Cintolo

In the 2nd Norfolk District, which stretches from Wollaston to Houghs Neck, state Rep. Tackey Chan is being challenged in his bid for a seventh term by political newcomer Sharon Cintolo, of Quincy, a Republican.

Cintolo, 59, a Boston paramedic, said she was prompted to run by her opposition to a state law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's  licenses, an issue which will be before the voters as Question 4 on the ballot.

"It was quickly decided and they didn't look ahead," Cintolo said of legislators who voted for the law.

Cintolo said the licenses would lead to noncitizens becoming registered voters. She said Chan and other legislators have lost touch with the people they represent.

"They don't listen to what people want," Cintolo  said.

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Chan, 49, a Democrat, supports the driver's  license bill and said  it doesn't provide a path to voter registration.

"It is a public safety measure that people who are on the roads are properly educated and can be properly identified," Chan said.

Chan said he is seeking reelection because "I want to get things done for my constituents."

He said he spends much of his time working on constituents' issues, but some of his priorities for a new two-year term would be dredging Quincy Bay, added accountability for the MBTA and fighting climate change.

Murphy v. Rotondo

The contest in the 4th Norfolk District, which  consists of three-quarters of Weymouth, is a rematch between James Murphy, who is seeking his 12th term, and planning board member Paul Rotondo. Murphy won 65% of the vote to beat Rotondo in 2020.

Murphy, 52, said he is running because he wants Weymouth to remain the same kind of close-knit town he grew up in for his children.

"I've always been an advocate for our community," Murphy said. "I want to continue my work for my community."

Among his priorities for a new term would be remaining accessible to his constituents, making sure the town's schools and libraries have the resources they need, protecting the environment and open spaces and advocating on behalf of senior citizens and veterans.

A Democrat, Murphy is the House co-chair of the Legislature's financial services committee.

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Rotondo, 60, a Republican, is a real estate broker and owns an antiques business. He is in his seventh year on the Weymouth Planning Board.

Rotondo  said Murphy has not been  accessible to help residents or to assist town officials on local issues.

"I want to be the representative of Weymouth, not the State House," Rotondo said.

He criticized Murphy's votes in favor of the law that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and favors its repeal.

Rotondo said he opposes any tax increase, and he would be an advocate for small businesses and tradespeople.

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DeCoste v. Dockter

The race in the 5th Plymouth District is a rematch between Republican incumbent state Rep. David DeCoste, of Norwell, and Democratic challenger Emmanuel Dockter, of Hanover. DeCoste defeated Dockter by 365 votes in the 2020 election.

The district consists of Hanover and Rockland, much of Norwell and a portion of Hanson.

DeCoste, 59, is a retired Army officer and a former Norwell selectman. He has a background in accounting and has worked as a comptroller for a family company. He is seeking his fifth term in the House.

His priorities include tax reform and revising the formula that determines state aid for cities and towns.

"It is a formula that is unfair to the suburbs, unfair to the district," DeCoste said.

Dockter, 43, is a lawyer and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He is a former Hanover selectman, chair of the town's advisory committee and a former member of the master plan implementation committee.

He said he is seeking the office because "I want to bring back some trust in government, starting here locally, to actually get stuff done.'

He said DeCoste is too focused on national issues and not local issues and does not pay enough attention to his constituents and local offices. Dockter said other legislators are more effective in securing state money for local projects.

"Our towns need a representative who is a true partner,"  Dockter said.

DeCoste counters has worked to get South Shore Vocational Technical  High School into the state school building assistance program and for money to reconstruct a key intersection on Route 139 in Hanover Center and other projects.

"He is just factually wrong," DeCoste said of Dockter.

South Shore state representatives who do not have a ballot opponent are Bruce Ayers and Ron Mariano, of Quincy; William Galvin, of Canton; Mark Cusack, of Braintree; William Driscoll, of Milton; Joan Meschino, of Hull; and Patrick Kearney, of Scituate.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Nov. 8 election features three state representative contests