Less than two years after his election to the Select Board, David Golden is looking ahead to the next step in his political career. He is running in the Sept. 1 Republican primary for state representative in the 1st Plymouth district, which includes the entire town, except for downtown, North Plymouth, and part of West Plymouth.
“Like many families here in Plymouth, I know it’s getting harder,” said Golden, 40, in a Facebook video posted Wednesday announcing his candidacy.
“Higher utility bills, rising taxes, and Beacon Hill policies that put Boston first and communities like ours last. That’s not right, and it’s why I’m stepping up.”
If he wins the primary, Golden would likely face first-term Democratic State Representative Michelle Badger in the Nov. 3 general election. No one else has yet filed to run in the Republican primary.
Golden does not identify himself as a Republican on his campaign website or in his announcement video, an omission he told the Independent was unintentional.
“Not intentional,” Golden said. “I’ve noticed a few folks on Facebook have asked what party I’m running in, and I’ve been forthcoming as people have asked.”
Badger was elected to succeed Matt Muratore, a Republican who sought election to the state Senate but was defeated by Democrat Dylan Fernandes.
Badger defeated Republican Jesse Brown, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether he intends to run against Golden in the primary.
Golden is serving his first term as a member of the Select Board. He ran unopposed in 2024, when just over 13 percent of registered voters cast ballots. In September, he replaced Kevin Canty as chair of the board in a stunning move made possible by the support of Bill Keohan and Dick Quintal, who were unhappy with Canty’s leadership. Golden and Canty continued to clash in the following months over how and when topics are placed on meeting agendas.
He plans to continue serving on the Select Board while mounting his campaign for state representative.
Since becoming chair, Golden said, he has worked to accommodate the concerns of his colleagues. In recent months, the board’s meetings have sometimes lasted five hours.
“We’ve had some really late nights as a Select Board, but that’s because we’re putting everyone’s items on the docket, making sure that even when I disagree with an issue, I’m putting it forward so that everyone in the community feels heard,” he said.
If elected, Golden promises to introduce legislation to dissolve MassSave, the state program designed to cover homeowners’ insulation expenses.
“MassSave is a fundamentally flawed program,” he said. “I think it costs people more than it gives in benefits.”
He also promises to introduce legislation requiring utility rate increases to be approved by the Legislature, instead of the state Department of Public Utilities.
“I think that true public accountability should be through elected officials,” he said.
Golden lives in Manomet with his wife and daughter.
Prior to his election to the Select Board, he was a member of the Cultural Council, served on the Board of Health and the Manomet Village Steering Committee, was a Town Meeting member, and chaired the Memorials Advisory Committee and Charter Review Committee.
He works for a company that provides property appraisals and software for municipalities.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.