State Rep. Mike Kaelin (D-Lyndeborough) says that if elected to the state senate he will be more active than his opponent in the District 9 race, current Sen. Sheila Roberge (R-Bedford).

Kaelin announced last week that he would challenge Roberge.

"Our current senator, though she's been in there awhile, hasn't been very active," Kaelin said. "I belief over this year, and last year, she's sponsored one bill a year. Even as a new state rep. I've been able to do more than that."

He added, "I believe I can do a lot more good as a senator than as a rep."

The first-term state rep. said that he would make energy and environmental issues, consumer protection and business development his top priorities.

"We need to do the most we can to encourage businesses to grow while making sure consumers are protected."

Kaelin is an electrical engineer who owns his own consulting business.

Senate District 9 covers Bedford, Greenfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Mont Vernon and New Boston. In 2006 Roberge defeated Peter Flood by 1,100 votes.