BEVERLY — An emergency medical technician from Beverly is challenging State Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry.
Richard Jolitz, 44, of 80 Conant St. announced his candidacy Friday for the 2nd Essex District seat, which covers Beverly, Salem, Peabody, Danvers and Topsfield.
Jolitz, a Republican, said he has always wanted to run for public office and now is the right time.
"We need some change on Beacon Hill," he said. "We need to get some fresh ideas from fresh minds to turn around what's going on. There's got to be a better way."
On his website, Jolitz said he supports rolling back the state sales tax and the state income tax to 5 percent and opposes any new taxes.
Jolitz is the second challenger to Berry, a Democrat who has held the 2nd Essex seat since 1982. Schoolteacher Matthew Fraser of Peabody is running as an independent.
Jolitz, who is single, is a native of Indiana and has lived in Beverly for six years. He works as an EMT for American Medical Response in Newburyport.
Jolitz took out nomination papers for Ward 5 School Committee in 2007 and for Ward 5 City Council in 2009 but decided not to run in both instances for family health reasons, he said.
The Secretary of State's Office confirmed that Jolitz has submitted the required 300 signatures for state senator and will be on the ballot this fall.
Jolitz acknowledged it will be a challenge taking on Berry, but he said voters deserve to have a choice.
"Over the last few election cycles, their only choice has been Sen. Berry," he said.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or pleighton@salemnews.com.
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