Q & A with Bert Bero, Running for Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor

Thanks to Bret Bero for participating in this Q & A with Westwood Minute.

Below are Mr. Bret Bero's responses to a few questions from Westwood Minute regarding his campaign for Democratic nominee for Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Bero is supported in his quest by family that resides in Westwood. Read more about his Westwood connection in another article posted today, and his answers to Westwood Minute's questions, below.

What motivated you to run for Lt. Governor?

First, I believe that democracy benefits when voters have more choices. After January 6, that is more critical than ever! Second, I believe I would bring a new and needed perspective and experience to Beacon Hill—one that addresses many of the critical challenges confronting the Commonwealth.

What in your background has prepared you for this position?

My background is distinctly different from the other Lt Governor candidates. I owned and operated a small business in central Massachusetts, and I understand the importance of small business to the economic well-being of our forgotten towns and gateway cities. I am on the faculty of Babson College, and my wife, Joan is an Occupational Therapist in a suburban school district. We know that education is critical to Massachusetts remaining competitive with other states and countries, and in helping the next generation improve their station in life. 

I have sat on the board of the largest environmental testing corporation in North America. Consequently, I know that climate crisis is both an existential threat, and an opportunity for Massachusetts to become the leader in the renewable/alternative energy industry. 

I have served in local town government, on the Finance Committee, so I recognize the challenges of meeting the needs of the citizens while maintaining budget discipline. 

Finally, as someone whose parents, kids, and grandkids live in Massachusetts, I have seen the generational divides of living on a fixed income for senior, and the challenges of finding housing that is affordable and access to quality daycare for our young families. 

These experiences would complement, rather than duplicate, those of the next Governor, and result in better policies and programs

What do you consider your strengths? Your weaknesses?

My strengths are my deep and diverse experiences that touch on many critical issues, and my ability to work with others to get things done. My development opportunity is building relationships with the Beacon Hill political insiders.

Communication with elected officials statewide will be an important part of the job. How would you describe your communication style?

“Proactive listening, and collaborative engagement.” I think the best way to learn is to ask questions, and the best way to move forward is to work with all. There is a saying “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

Why is advocating for small businesses so important to you compared to other issues?

Ultimately, it is because small business can be a great source of social good! Small businesses make up over 45 percent of the total workforce in Massachusetts, and over 99 percent of all the companies. In most of our forgotten towns and gateway cities, they are the primary source not only of jobs, but of new economic opportunities. Small businesses hire locally, buy from other local businesses, and reinvest in their communities. And, small business creates both a good living for the founders - especially for those from underrepresented areas like women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ owners—and tax revenues for the local community.

If you could implement one change to state law/policy/practice for each issue on your platform, what would it be and why?

• Small business and the economy - Establish a fund to provide small funding capital (to help them get started) and management expertise to small businesses/entrepreneurs—especially in those under-represented communities.

• Climate change - Short term, promote public transportation; Longer term, move the State to the forefront of the renewable energy industry

• Housing - Short-term: changing zoning regulations to allow more options/variations of housing developments; Long-term: develop high speed transportation to expand the geographic distance (without adding commuting time) from work AND promote remote working options

• Education - Short-term: address the coming crisis of COVID-related teacher resignations by developing policies that address teacher burnout; Long-term: promote a wider range of educational opportunities through pre-K, vocational schools, our community colleges, and our state university system.

• Healthcare - As someone who had both cancer and COVID in 2021, healthcare is a basic human right that should be available to all, And as a small business owner, my employee health care costs never went up less than 20 percent a year—which is unsustainable. There are better models for improving our healthcare business model—it should not be driven by our insurance companies.

• Childcare - Studies have documented that early childcare education improves performance. The State should make an investment in promoting more certified childcare opportunities.

• LGBTQ+ - It is not enough just to offer passive support to the LGBTQ+ community. We must actively support their rights (which our under assault nation-wide), and proactively develop programs that provide for the inclusion and promotion of LGBTQ+ progress. For example, there should be specific funding for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and small business owners.

How do you think COVID-19 and/or its aftermath will affect Massachusetts in the next few years?

COVID has shifted from being a pandemic that we have to get through to being endemic to our lives. There will be future variants, and some of those may be as deadly as the initial variants. We must promote vaccinations and boosters, and be prepared to implement the programs which we have learned work and save lives when those variants present. We need to move past making science a political issue, and place it at the center of our decision-making when confronting future outbreaks.

How will you involve residents in your decision-making?

I believe that a leader should be on the front lines. The role of the Lt. Governor should be traveling the Commonwealth meeting with elected and appointed community leaders, interacting with the public in open town meetings and informal discussions, and working with community groups to address the unique needs of the diverse communities within the Commonwealth.

What do you most want voters to know about you?

That my purpose for running is to serve them. As anyone who has served in local town government knows, the job is not about their personal political ambition. Rather, people serve because they view it as an opportunity to support their neighbors and community. This election is about building a new foundation for our future. I believe my skills and experiences are uniquely suited to the challenges confronting the Commonwealth. And, by electing me, the voters are getting someone who is just like them—not a political insider, but someone who has a deep passion for helping to make Massachusetts and it government better.

This question asks for fun facts for readers to get to know you. What is your favorite:

Book  - The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam

Movie -  Romantic comedies and Jane Austin movies.

Food - Dessert—especially chocolate!

Color -  Navy Blue

Band or musician -  ABBA, although my music tastes are eclectic

Ice cream - Vanilla (boring, I know—however, you can mix in a lot with vanilla!)

Sport - Lacrosse--both my father and son played in college, and I played in High School (and coached youth Lax); hockey is favorite professional sport to watch

Hobby - Tie…golf and sailing

Way to relax - Spending time with my kids and especially my grandchildren!

For local news and updates straight to your email, subscribe to Westwood Minute!

You may also enjoy reading:

- Westwood Resident Supports Bert Bero, Her Father, in His Campaign for Democratic Nominee for MA Lieutenant Governor

- Sheila Hanley, Helping Westwood Residents Become Informed Voters

- Muffin House Cafe to Open in Islington in Late Spring/Early Summer

- Inclusive Westwood's Successful Campaign to Demonstrate Community Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion