Fig City News spoke with the three candidates running to succeed retiring State Representative Ruth Balser, to learn about their conversations with voters as they canvassed the 12th Middlesex district before the September 3 Primary election. Did talking with several thousand potential constituents change their perspective about what they would bring to the State House?
Greg Schwartz, a former member of the Newton City Council, is both a physician and a lawyer, and he would be the only physician in the 200-member State House and Senate. His campaign slogan is, “Put a Doctor in the House.” People at the doors often say, “You’re the doctor!” Although he continues to maintain his primary care practice as part of the Mass General Brigham system, he spends several days a week knocking on doors and engaging with voters in the Newton and Brookline district.
“People respond to my background dealing with patients” Dr. Schwartz said, noting that he deals with patient health issues, as well as their financial and personal problems, often including food insecurity. Increasingly, he hears that the delivery of health care is fraught with a wide range of complications – inadequate staffing, as well as limited treatment and discharge options. And, voters have expressed frustration and fear about the negative impact the failed Steward Health Care system will have on all Massachusetts’ patients. In addition to his understanding of the possible role of the Legislature in improving the delivery of health care. Dr. Schwartz offers his clinical, analytical approach to identifying root causes, problem-solving, and developing a sustainable plan.
His discussions with voters extend to a wide range of issues, among them concerns about housing. Dr. Schwartz emphasized that people he spoke with were not polarized or bitter about recent Newton zoning and development decisions. Instead, they raised objections to “tear-downs replaced by much larger, much more expensive construction” thereby removing naturally affordable housing and displacing residents.
Voters also talked about the environment and the need to reject fossil fuels. While many understood the need to electrify their homes, they also expressed concern about “overloading the grid” if everyone converts to electric power at the same time. Dr. Schwartz explained that the switch would be gradual, thereby allowing the system to grow to meet the need.
Transportation has been a consistent topic of discussion at the doors – one that he understands since he commutes to work on the Green Line. While people have expressed admiration for Philip Eng, the General Manager of the MBTA, they recognize that the system needs to be more reliable, with fewer slow zones.Dr. Schwartz is advocating for the restoration of more and reliable bus service.
Some people have raised the issue of antisemitism – particularly since the October 7th attack on Israel. Dr. Schwartz acknowledged that he shares those worries himself. “The world has changed,” he said. He credited Rep. Balser with always speaking out on behalf of her constituents and against antisemitism. “People feel unsettled and I understand it. Things have changed in the world and here (in Newton).”
Asked if conversations at the doors have changed his perspective about his role as a legislator, Dr. Schwartz responded “you can’t not be struck by what people’s concerns are.”
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