Winslow first Republican to announce run in special election

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) Republican state Rep. Dan Winslow will run in the special election.

Winslow announced on Tuesday that was 99-percent sure he would run in the race.

On Thursday, he sent out an e-mail to supporters saying he would run.

"As a native of Western Massachusetts from a hardworking middle class family, and as an experienced problem solver, I believe that the next two years will be our last, best opportunity to avoid the tipping point of a runaway deficit and crushing federal debt," says Winslow via e-mail.

Winslow also joined the FOX 25 News on Tuesday to explain why he is interested in the Senate seat.

"This is a great opportunity to make a difference in Washington to break the grid lock and fix America," Winslow said during an interview with FOX 25's Maria Stephanos.

Some may know the congressman as the one who dumped Fluffernutter at the budget office. In mid-December, Winslow stacked 10 tubs of marshmallow fluff in pyramid form outside the office.

"I was trying to make a point in that fluff," Winslow explains. "I was told by the budget office there is no fluff in the state budget, and in fact there is."

Each tub included a note suggesting budget recommendations to cut excess "fluff" from state spending. He compares this fluff to many of the debt and financial concerns America faces now.

Winslow enters the race one week after Democratic congressmen Stephen Lynch and Ed Markey launched their campaigns.

Cox Media Group