Paul Adams, BS '06 -- After state Sen. Susan Tucker announced she will not seek re-election when her term ends, a number of potential candidates started lining up for her seat.

Adams, 28, said his top priorities will be to lower taxes, add pro-growth business policies, and increase prioritization of local aid for essential community services.

"We (the state) have extraordinary challenges ahead of us," said Adams. "I am running to take Massachusetts in a new direction."

As an Andover native, Adams graduated from Andover High School in 2000 and went to Suffolk University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations. He also is an elected member of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee for the 2nd Essex and Middlesex state senatorial district.

"We are in a position where we need someone who can pursue this full time," he said, adding that he quit his job to run for this seat. "I will aggressively pursue the problems that this state and district face." Lawrence Eagle Tribune, April 5, 2010