Sports Leagues Business Owner Runs For State Rep

A three-term Marlborough city councilor who runs a sports leagues business is running for state representative in parts of Northborough, Westborough and Marlborough.

Republican Matt Elder formally announced his candidacy for Fourth Middlesex District representative Thursday night at JJ's Sports Bar and Grill in Northborough.

The Northborough Republican Town Committee sponsored this meet-and-greet with Elder, 12th Worcester District state representative candidate Brad Wyatt, and lieutenant governor candidate Karyn Polito.

Elder is the program director of i9 Sports, offering programs in Marlborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury and Westborough.

He said Thursday night that more than 1,000 families participate in the programs each year.

"My opponent has never run a small business like me. I realize how hard it is to fight for this: what you need to do to be a successful small business," Elder said.

State Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) is the incumbent in the district, which includes Marlborough Ward 2, Precinct 1, and Wards 3, 4, 5 and 6, and Ward 7, Precinct 2; Northborough Precincts 1 and 3 and Westborough Precincts 1 and 3.

Gregoire was elected in November 2012, defeating then-incumbent Steven Levy (R-Marlborough).

Elder said he plans to discuss issues such as illegal immigration and homelessness on his website, www.votemattelder.com, which launches on Friday.

He said Gregoire, in her website's issues section, website "she's talking about a ham and bean supper, and a letter to the editor from Harold Naughton, who is supporting her."

Elder said he supports small government "consider myself one of the most fiscally conservative councillors in Marlborough, and it's something that I wear proudly."

"When I was first elected, I actually didn't know we got paid," he said.