State Rep. Tom Conroy's rematch this year against Susan Pope, who he beat to take the seat in 2006, appears to hinge on which legislator has best represented Middlesex County's 13th District.

[img_assist|nid=1601|title=State Rep. Tom Conroy (D-Wayland)|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=180|height=140]And that's exactly how both candidates want it.

"From my perspective it's effectiveness," Conroy, a Wayland Democrat, told PolitickerMA.com when asked what the most important issue in the race is. "I've been able to accomplish a lot in the two short years I've served. State aid has increased dramatically, 15 percent or nearly $2 million, which far outpaces the amount of state aid my predecessor and opponent was able to take in the past five years."

Pope, a Wayland Republican, held the seat for 10 years and said she got into the race because several in the district told her that Conroy hasn't served their interests as well as she did.

"I was very good with constituent responses and they were saying they weren't getting the same level of attention on constituent concerns," Pope said. "They weren't getting the same level of dedication."

[img_assist|nid=1602|title=Susan Pope (R-Wayland) with supporters|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=138]"When I was the representative, I was very visible in the area and I think they got used to that."

Conroy beat Pope in 2006 by 638 votes to expand the already large Democratic majority in the state House of Representatives. Since then, Conroy emphasized his work that he believes the district appreciates.

"People saw a lot of potential in me and I think they still do," Conroy said, reflecting on the 2006 race. "What's different in 2008 is I've demonstrated that their trust in me is well-founded."

In particular, Conroy pointed to his support for Gov. Deval Patrick's Green Communities Act, Green Jobs Act, Global Warming Solutions Act and an environmental bond bill.

"From the feedback that I'm hearing," Conroy said, "It's what [my constituents] really care about and what they find different in terms of what I've been able to do and what my opponent was able to do."

Pope, however, said she wasn't even considering running for the seat again until she heard from several in the district that they were displeased with Conroy's leadership.

"I actually had no intention of running again," Pope said. "In about December I got calls and emails from Republicans and Democrats asking me to enter the race...they weren't happy with the way things were going."

In February, Pope said she commissioned a poll that found that 40 percent of the people in the district still thought she was their representative. That poll made her believe that she could take back the seat, Pope said.

The two candidates don't disagree about everything, however. Both noted the importance of securing state aid for the district and both said they oppose Question 1, the ballot measure that would abolish the state income tax.

Even though he has represented the district for two years, Conroy said this election, like the last one, is about change.

"I still represent a change from the 10 years previously," Conroy said. "She's a Republican and supported George Bush. She is definitely a step backwards. Voting for me is a step for the future."

Pope, in contrast, embraced her party and said it provides her freedom from having to fall in line behind the Democratic leadership of the House and, in particular, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

"As you know Massachusetts has only 19 Republicans in the House and a Democratic governor," she said. "When I was there I was able to work across the aisles. You have to do that as a Republican. The projects that I brought back to the district were quite substantial and quite good...Also, as a Republican, we don't have to vote as the Speaker tells us to."