Republican Kurt Hayes said Tuesday that, if elected to the state House, he would support rolling back the state income tax to 5 percent.

[img_assist|nid=210|title=Kurt Hayes (R-Boxborough)|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=143|height=154]Hayes, of Boxborough, is running against Lunenberg Democrat Jen Benson this year in Middlesex County's 37th House District.

In an email to PolitickerMA.com, Hayes noted that while Question 1 on this year's ballot seeks to completely abolish the state income tax, in 2000 voters passed a ballot measure that sought to gradually roll back the state income tax. By that ballot measure, the state income tax should be 5 percent by now, instead of 5.3 percent.

"One thing to point out is that while I do not personally support the elimination of the income tax, I am in favor and will be an advocate for rolling back the income tax to 5% as originally passed by the voters," Hayes wrote. "This represents $700M or $2.50 out of every $100 (2.5%) [that] we need to find in waste and inefficiency.  With leaders like me joining with Gov. [Deval] Patrick to look top-to-bottom at every agency and program with a business-minded approach, we can fund the rollback from 5.3% to 5%.  At the same time we will be putting money back in the pockets of taxpayers facing a deepening economic downturn, we will finally bring real reform to our state government."

Hayes did say, however, that if voters pass Question 1 this year, he would support abolishing the income tax.

"On principle, I will honor the wishes of the voters in my district on ballot questions," Hays said. "Regardless of my personal viewpoint, I will represent my constituents will on ballot questions. If Question 1 were to pass, I will advocate their view in the face of a legislature that has repeatedly shown blatant disregard for the will of the voters."

Benson also opposes Question 1.

Check out PolitickerMA.com's running tally of where State House candidates stand on Question 1 here.