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John Flores
CUMMAQUID – The first republican has emerged to challenge democratic Cape and Islands State Senator Julian Cyr in 2018.
Barnstable Town Councilor John Flores, of Cummaquid, has announced his candidacy for the seat.
Flores says his experience in public service as a town councilor, superintendent, and teacher has prepared him to serve the people on the Cape and Islands.
“I believe that I will be the new, experienced voice on Beacon Hill,” Flores said. “[I’m] someone who understands the local as well as the state issues that I believe together we all need to address.”
Flores said some of the most important issues facing the region are water quality and wastewater, the opioid epidemic and affordable housing.
“The whole issues of tourism and our fishing industry are very important,” he added.
He said there also needs to be a focus on everything associated with public safety, education and healthcare.
“[They] are all pertinent issues that, at this point in time, we need to address head-on and make sure that all of those particular categories, whatever the needs might be, are that we are meeting the needs of Islanders and Cape Codders.”
With the current political climate in the nation being combative and divisive, Flores said he is a Baker republican who is fiscally conservative and socially moderate or liberal.
“No matter what their age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality or place in life, I want to represent everyone at the highest level of excellence and commitment I can muster,” Flores said.
Flores said he is a live and let live kind of guy.
“I don’t want to tell people what to do or how to do it, but at the same time we have to maintain some semblance of order in our society,” he said.
Flores was urged by several people on Cape Cod and the Islands to run for the state senate seat.
“I think it goes back to my deep family routes on Cape Cod and the Islands,” he said.
Flores is a fourth generation Provincetown family member, who has also lived on Nantucket for several years.
“I have numerous relatives, friends and associates living up and down Cape Cod and the Islands and I think with their support and their urging I really do believe I’m the right person at the right time that can best represent all the Islanders as well as Cape Codders,” he said.
Flores said he and Cyr are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.
He disagrees with Cyr voting for a pay raise within his first week in office.
“I thought it was a grave mistake, especially when, in fact, the tax revenue coming into the state was on the decline,” Flores said. “It was the worst time that they should have done that or considered it.”
Flores also disagrees with Cyr’s position on making the Commonwealth a sanctuary state and how the senator voted on criminal justice issues.
“There are certain issues that he voted against in terms of amendments from other senators that I would have supported,” he said.
Flores said Cyr voted against making assault and battery on a police officer a felony, strengthening penalties against habitual drunk drivers and eliminated mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking class A, B and C drugs in school zones.
Flores will host a meet the candidate event Thursday, November 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Yarmouth House restaurant on Route 28 in West Yarmouth.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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