Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson and Ashburnham businessman John Reilly Jr. are squaring off for the Second Worcester District's open state representative seat, with housing, school funding and road repairs emerging as the central flashpoints of the race. Nicholson is running as the Democratic nominee, while Reilly is seeking the office as an unenrolled candidate. The seat covers Gardner, Ashburnham, Templeton and part of Winchendon.
The race is open because longtime Democratic Rep. Jon Zlotnik, who has represented the district for 14 years, decided not to seek reelection, according to the Sentinel and Enterprise. Zlotnik reportedly plans to take a teaching job, per that same report. The Gardner News notes Zlotnik made his announcement in April, closing out 14 years in office. Nicholson said he decided to jump into the race after learning Zlotnik, with whom he said he's worked well in the past, wasn't running again.
Nicholson Pushes for State Policies Built With Local Input
Nicholson has argued that statewide policies would benefit from more input from the towns and cities tasked with carrying them out, the Sentinel and Enterprise reports. One of his stated priorities is revisiting the Student Opportunity Act, the school funding law that appropriates additional money for students facing low incomes, English-language learning and other challenges, to make sure that funding keeps reaching the districts that need it. He has also flagged road repair funding as an area of concern, the outlet notes.
On the Chapter 70 school funding formula, which is based on student populations, Nicholson said the calculation should put less weight on enrollment numbers and more on actual costs districts face. He also said towns west of Route 495, including those in his district, often fall behind in state support. His campaign platform, outlined on his campaign website, also calls for fighting for infrastructure, workforce development, housing, transportation and investment aimed at helping communities compete regionally. He has additionally said he would advocate for policies supporting farmers and agricultural businesses, protecting working lands and promoting local food systems, per his site.
Housing Debate Centers on Local Control
Housing has become one of the sharper dividing lines of the campaign. Nicholson said Gardner has worked proactively on its own housing problem and has seen positive results, and he wants to extend that approach by working with other cities and towns to assess the broader housing crisis rather than impose a one-size-fits-all fix. He specifically said a ballot question that would strip away substantial local control over housing decisions is not necessarily the right answer, favoring a collaborative state-local approach over mandates forced on towns.
Separately, according to MassLive, Nicholson's broader platform includes adding housing supply to help lower costs, renewing the Student Opportunity Act and expanding regional transit authority services. The Second Worcester District's contest is one of 10 contested state races in Worcester County this cycle, the same number as in 2024 but down from 14 contested races in 2022, per the same outlet's reporting.
Reilly's Campaign Emphasizes Affordability and Education
Reilly, described by MassLive as a DJ, producer and computer/audio engineer, has centered his campaign on making the district more affordable for residents and strengthening education for children. His campaign website lists priorities including creating economic and personal growth pathways, strengthening local ties, increasing affordability and providing stronger constituent representation, according to Gardner News Magazine, which notes his platform vows to make things more affordable for everyone.
Reilly could not be reached by phone or email for the Sentinel and Enterprise's reporting on the race. Per his campaign website, as cited by the paper, Reilly is an Ashburnham resident and describes himself as a father, business leader and candidate seeking to strengthen opportunity and affordability in the district. His site also states he was recognized as Worcester's best DJ seven times, and that he worked with MTV in Santa Monica, Google and Android, as well as serving as a legal assistant at law firms in Massachusetts and California.
Reilly's website also notes he coached Murdock High School softball, leading the team to a league championship in 2018, and that he has a daughter, Kalea, who graduated high school and earned an associate degree through the Pathways program at Mount Wachusett Community College in 2025, according to his site. None of those biographical details from his campaign materials have been independently verified beyond what his website states.
The Sentinel and Enterprise identifies Nicholson as Gardner's current mayor and Democratic nominee for the seat. The outcome of the Nicholson-Reilly race, including any vote totals, has not yet been reported.
