Christopher Thrasher, Republican candidate for the 8th Bristol District. Credit: Thrasher campaign

Name

Christopher Thrasher
of Westport

Political party

Republican

Office sought

House of Representatives in 8th Bristol District

Q&A
Christopher ThrasherWork and experience: why are you qualified to run for office?

I’m an attorney, small business owner, and public policy analyst with hands-on experience in both elected and appointed roles in Westport. I currently serve on the Westport School Committee and on several town committees including the Finance Committee, Audit Committee, Economic Development Task Force, and as the Chair of the Long Term Building Committee. In both my professional and public service roles, I’ve worked on a wide range of issues requiring problem-solving, coalition building, and serving as a mediator to find practical solutions.

The 8th Bristol District is a challenging one to represent, running from the right-to-farm community of Westport, through the forests of Freetown and the neighborhoods of Acushnet, and into the cities of Fall River and New Bedford. Each area has its own unique needs, and it’s crucial that each have their voices heard. That’s why my background in coalition building and problem solving is so important. I believe it’s what sets me apart from other candidates — my ability to bring people together, work through complex issues, and make sure that our diverse district doesn’t get overlooked or lost in the shuffle. I’m committed to making sure every resident of the district is represented and supported.

Your biggest reason for running: what’s driving you?

The South Coast is home, and it is where my heart is. My daughter was born earlier this year at Charlton, and Arianna and I are building our family here in Westport. I’m running because I want to make life better for my family, friends, and neighbors across the district. I feel very strongly that we need a representative who is willing to stand up for us on Beacon Hill, and who is willing and able to put the district’s interests above party politics.

To me, being a good, effective legislator requires three core things: first and foremost, having a commitment to constituent service, which means being available, listening, and being ready to solve problems big and small. Second, you need to have fresh, actionable ideas that can be turned into good policy — things like legislation to cut the cost of starting a business by cutting the LLC filing fee in half, and reforming unfunded mandates that squeeze town budgets. Finally, you need to have the ability to actually get things done in the halls of the Statehouse, and that means building coalitions to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done all my life.

What is the most important issue you plan to address, and how will you do that?

With so many critical issues that need immediate attention, it is difficult to choose just one. The migrant crisis is an urgent issue. With the Commonwealth spending over $1 billion without accountability and city and town resources being strained, cutting into essential services, this must be immediately addressed.

Offshore wind is a major concern — we’re being used as guinea pigs for unproven technology, and the detrimental impacts on our environment, our fishing industry, and coastal communities is unacceptable. I’m calling for a full audit of all tax credits and incentives given to developers, eliminating liability caps, and for legislation that will strengthen requirements for host community agreements so that our cities and towns can stand up to the backroom deals.

It is also crucial that we address unfunded mandates that strain local budgets, and one critical step is reforming the Special Education Circuit Breaker. As SPED demands grow, school districts struggle with inconsistent state reimbursements. I propose making Circuit Breaker funding automatic, removing unpredictability and easing the burden on districts.

Bottom line, I want to overhaul spending priorities to put real needs above special interests, and I’m committed to immediately working to implement these clear, actionable solutions.

With the country splintered by partisan politics, what do you think needs to be done to get Democrats and Republicans to work together?

The key is not being afraid to find common ground. I’ve found that the most effective and genuine coalitions come together amongst people who might seem at first to have the most differing viewpoints imaginable. You have to speak to each person’s humanity first. You have to have real empathy, and you have to be willing to listen. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you’re not talking, and you never know when a solution will present itself. Honey works better than vinegar, and I’ve always found that approaching issues with respect and openness brings people together.

It’s not enough to simply say “people over party”— you need to be able to navigate the system to actually get things done. With a Democratic supermajority, it’s crucial to have someone who can be effective in that environment. I’ll serve on more committees as a Republican simply because there are so few, and that gives our district a greater opportunity to be heard. I’m the only candidate who can offer the freedom to stand up without pressure from party bosses AND the ability to represent our district effectively. I’ve always worked across party lines, and I’ll continue to do so on Beacon Hill.  

Find more election profiles on The Light’s Election 2024 pages.