METHUEN — The four Republicans vying for Niki Tsongas' seat in Congress pledged last night to cut government spending and slammed the incumbent for following the Democratic Party line.
Jon Golnik, Sam Meas, Bob Shapiro and Tom Weaver all targeted Tsongas and Congress in general during a Town Hall-style debate at Mann Orchards. The winner of the Republican primary Sept. 14 will face Tsongas, of Lowell, in the election on Nov. 2.
"From a Democratic perspective, she's a good soldier," said Shapiro, of Andover, who said Tsongas doesn't listen to 5th District voters. "She's doing exactly what the party wants."
All four Republicans at last night's debate said they would push to repeal health care reform if elected and also called for a reduced role of government in the economy.
"The stimulus package was a failure," said Golnik, who lives in Carlisle. "Government doesn't create sustainable jobs."
Meas, of Haverhill, said Tsongas has voted in line with the leadership of the Democratic Party 98 percent of the time since she was elected in 2007.
"Look at the mess they've created for us," said Meas. "We have to say, 'Enough is enough.'"
Weaver, of Westford, said that unlike Tsongas and the administration of President Barack Obama, he would push to keep the federal government from interfering with the economy.
"We have to take control of Congress," said Weaver. "The biggest problem we have is debt."
All four candidates spoke last night of the need to reduce government spending and the national deficit. But only Shapiro gave a specific percentage of the federal budget he would cut when asked by a Methuen resident to do so.
"We need to cut the budget in half and start paying down the national debt," said Shapiro. "It needs to be addressed right now."
When asked what kind of impact a rookie lawmaker should expect to have in Washington, D.C., Meas acknowledged what he called an "anti-incumbency" mood nationwide.
"I'm the new face of the Republican Party," said Meas. "My message will resonate across party lines."
Golnik said he is expecting a historic amount of turnover in the midterm elections.
"The professional rivalries have turned personal," said Golnik. "I'm going to represent the people of this district. People who are Democrats, the Republicans and the unenrolled."
Asked about the need for more bipartisanship in Congress, Shapiro said he would be willing to vote against his own party.
"I'm going to take the heat," said Shapiro. "I'm going to vote what I think is right. ... My integrity is on the line every time I vote."
Weaver said first-time lawmakers should band together and focus on reducing the national deficit.
"The freshman group has got to work together to attack the debt," said Weaver.
To watch the debate in its entirety, go to www.eagletribune.com/tv.
