DUDLEY, Mass. - The Massachusetts House of Representatives' 6th Worcester District seat is vacant after former state Rep. Peter Durant was elected to the state Senate earlier this year.

Two candidates have put their name into the ring, and both are Republicans - meaning who replaces Durant will be decided in the primary.

One candidate is John Marsi, a member of the Dudley Board of Selectmen in Dudley and an engineer with 12 years of experience in local politics. He believes his ability to solve problems and being fiscally aware can help him in the state house. 

“I am the only candidate who supports the whole district, not just one town," Marsi said. "I am the only candidate who is endorsed by Republicans. I’m the only candidate to support the right to shelter law so we can end this crisis. I’m the only candidate that has signed a ‘no new taxes’ pledge. And I’m the only candidate with a 100% rating from GOAL [Gun Owners Action League]."

Also on the ballot is Dave Adams of Southbridge. He has been a member of the town council since 2018 and is a retired marine after 25 years of service.

Adams pointed to his work on the town council securing funding for projects as vital experience for the job

“There are state issues, and federal issues, but community issues is the biggest part because these are the people I represent," he said. "Some of these goals I have a very large platform. That goes from 2nd Amendment rights all the way to bringing in funds to help our residents. Bringing in the experience of working really, really hard and I think, at the State House, I can do that no problem and be very, very successful, just like I was here, and am here.”

The primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6.