Former Berkley Selectman announces candidacy for State Representative in the 6th Bristol District

ASSONET, MA — Republican Robert Anctil, an Assonet resident, master plumber, and former Berkeley Selectman, is officially announcing his candidacy for State Representative in the 6th Bristol District. Anctil is challenging 13-year incumbent Carole Fiola on a platform to end what he is calling the “special interest machine” that has dominated Fall River and Assonet for many years.

His campaign has issued the following release.

“Anctil is advocating for full separation from the political machine linked to the incumbent and her husband, Kenneth Fiola. “The most significant financial support for my opponent comes from influential Fall River real estate developers, contractors, and business owners who simultaneously hold positions on the board of directors of the economic development agency that her husband, Kenneth Fiola, manages.”

“Kenneth Fiola was terminated from the Fall River Office of Economic Development in 2018 for gross negligence. He was then involved in the creation of the Bristol County Economic Development Consultants through the non-profit Jobs For Fall River, Inc.“

“Fiola’s top campaign contributions as a Governor’s Councilor and State Representative mainly come from people linked to her husband’s economic network, including real estate developers, contractors, and waterfront business owners.”

“Anctil points out a potential conflict of interest regarding H.4071, a waterfront redevelopment bill recently championed by Fiola. The ethical concern arises because this bill would directly benefit Bristol County Economic Development Consultants, the firm that employs Fiola’s husband. “The 6th Bristol District is not a family business,” Anctil stated. “When your State Representative is introducing legislation that is likely to benefit her husband financially, it undermines the public trust. We deserve a State Representative who answers solely to the voters, not to special interests in Fall River and Boston.”

“With 30+ years in plumbing and heating, Anctil’s campaign focuses heavily on energy costs. He blames Representative Fiola’s support for the climate policy bill S.9 as the main cause of the current energy crisis.”

“Fiola voted for out-of-touch climate mandates that have directly caused the huge delivery charges and surcharges on our electricity and gas bills. Anctil stated. “These aren’t ‘green’ policies. They are regressive taxes on the poor and middle class. We are paying for a Beacon Hill fantasy while our Fall River and Assonet residents struggle to keep the lights and heat on. I will work to repeal the mandates that favor the special interests over affordable energy.”

“Anctil said working families are being squeezed dry. “Between skyrocketing property taxes and utility bills that resemble mortgage payments, people are being forced out of their homes. I’m running because we need a Representative who understands that every dollar the state wastes is a dollar taken from a family’s household budget,” said Anctil.”

“Anctil’s highlighting a voting record that he says proves Fiola has never been interested in representing the people of the district:

“Voted To Reduce Automatic Income Tax Refunds – In 2023, Fiola voted for a tax package (H.3770) and against an amendment that would have included “Millionaire’s Tax” revenue in the Chapter 62F tax refund calculations. This exclusion allows the state to retain billions of dollars that would otherwise be subject to automatic refunds.”

“Voted Against the Audit: Fiola voted against auditing the legislature (Amendment 17 to H.2024), blocking taxpayers from seeing how their money is spent.”

“Prioritizing Illegal Migrants: Fiola voted to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants (H.4805) and voted against reforming the “Right to Shelter” law (Amendment 417 to H.4000), as the state-run shelter system has cost the taxpayers billions of dollars.”

“I’m excited to meet the wonderful people of the 6th Bristol District, hear their concerns, and share my ideas on how we can work together to find solutions that support them and their families,” Anctil said.”

“Robert Anctil, a lifelong advocate for the South Coast and a graduate of Somerset High School, who has operated his commercial plumbing firm since 1991. Now residing in Assonet, he previously served as Chairman of the Berkeley Board of Selectmen and Chairman of the Finance Committee. In those roles, he earned the nickname “Hurricane Bob” for his relentless focus on rooting out government waste.”

“I’m a gritty, no-nonsense, common-sense leader, and I’m dedicated to freeing Fall River and Assonet from the broken public trust of the Fiola machine,” Anctil declared. “As a local official, my record has consistently prioritized the interests of the people over special interests and pay-to-play politics.”