In the Press
Norfolk Select Board Member running for State Representative
February 14, 2022
NORFOLK — Select board member Kevin Kalkut has announced his candidacy for the state representative seat now held by Republican Shawn Dooley, who is running for state Senate.
Kalkut, 39, a Democrat, is in his fourth year on the Norfolk Select Board and previously served two years as its chairman. Dooley’s wife, CiCi Van Tine, is currently chair of the Norfolk Select Board.
In announcing his bid, Kalkut cited a desire to focus on several issues, including ensuring state-funding commitments are kept to lessen impact on taxpayers in primarily residential communities, and preserving the rural appeal of less populated communities while responsibly planning for balanced growth.
Kalkut also called for strengthening school systems, increasing government transparency, and enhancing engagement with residents and businesses to develop public-driven policies.
He also represents Norfolk on the Norfolk County Advisory Committee and had been a member of the planning board as well as a zoning study committee.
The 9th Norfolk District Kalkut is running for includes Plainville, Wrentham, Norfolk, and parts of Medfield, Millis, and Walpole. Dooley has represented it since 2014.
Dooley announced his intentions last week to run against state Sen. Rebecca Rausch, D-Needham.
The two will vie for the newly-created Norfolk, Worcester, and Middlesex District that includes Plainville, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Franklin, among other communities.
Rausch is in her second two-year term representing the Bristol, Norfolk, and Middlesex District that includes Attleboro, North Attleboro, Plainville, Wrentham and Norfolk.
Two Eye 9th Norfolk State Rep Seat
February 24, 2022
Wicked Local
As state Rep. Shawn Dooley looks to move on to the state Senate, two Democrats are eyeing his seat in the House.
Norfolk's Kevin Kalkut and Medfield's Steve Teehan have both formally declared their intentions to run for Dooley's post representing the 9th Norfolk District, which includes Medfield precincts 3 and 4, Millis precinct 1, Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole precinct 5 and Wrentham.
Dooley, a Norfolk Republican, on Feb. 10 announced plans to challenge incumbent state Sen. Rebecca Rausch for the newly outlined Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex District in the state Senate.
Kalkut and Teehan both followed Dooley's announcement with their own -- Kalkut on Feb. 14 and Teehan on Feb. 12.
The two will face-off for a place on the final ballot in the Sept. 20 primary. The general election is set for Nov. 8. The deadline for candidates to file is May 31.
Kalkut a Norfolk selectman
Kalkut, who has served on the Norfolk Select Board for the past four years, said he wants to focus on the issues closest to the communities in the district.
He outlined several focal points, including:
-
Ensuring that critical state-funding commitments are kept to lessen impact to tax payers in residential-levy heavy municipalities.
-
Prioritizing preservation of the rural appeal of these communities while responsibly planning for balanced growth.
-
Strengthening schools and educational systems that have supported our children amidst impossible conditions.
-
Increasing transparency at all levels of state and local government.
-
Enhance=ing engagement with residents/businesses, regardless of perspective or opinion, to best represent the constituency as a whole and develop public-driven policy.
In a video about his candidacy posted to YouTube, Kalkut cited the many challenges society has faced over the last few years.
"Through it all we found collective strength and a renewed sense of community. We’ve put aside fundamental differences of opinion and instead prioritized empathy for our neighbors," he said. "As we look ahead to better days to come, what if we carried with us that same culture of collaboration and mutual respect? What if we focused on the common challenges that directly impact our towns as opposed to the specific perspectives that divide us? Things like ensuring that committed state funding continues to support municipal budgets and reduces the rising tax burden on our residential, levy-dependent communities."
Your stories live here.
Fuel your hometown passion and plug into the stories that define it.
Kalkut recognized that there will always be disagreement and impassioned debate, "but the key will be to embrace those perspectives as they will represent the varied positions of a diverse constituency."
Kalkut also represents Norfolk on the Norfolk County Advisory Committee, and formerly served on the Norfolk Planning Board, and the B1 Zoning Working Committee. He additionally volunteers as a member of the Norfolk Lions, has coached Norfolk Youth Soccer and Millis Flag Football, and currently coaches S.C. Norfolk soccer.