Jim Gammill, the only independent candidate on the ballot for the vacant State Representative seat serving Belmont, East Arlington, and North Cambridge, is in the race to work with everyone who wants greater transparency and fiscal realism at the State House.

He chose "unenrolled" party identification at the end of 2009 in response to heightened partisanship at the federal level. At the State House he pledges to work for "open innovative government."

"I belong to neither party because neither party has a lock on all the right ideas. I am ready and willing to work with both parties to shape a budget and laws that are best for the district and the state," Gammill said.

"Openness at the State House is more than simply access to information. It means allowing the elected state representatives – all of them – to fully participate in the legislative process through open dialog and deliberation of legislation.

"Innovation drives our economic growth and will also control our spending while improving services. There will always be natural resistance to change and innovation, and those concerns must be addressed through an open process. We cannot be afraid to try new things.

"Government is a vital partner in our community life. For me, the key is keeping government focused on its core missions – basic infrastructure, education, courts and criminal justice systems, and ensuring that everyone is given the opportunity to live a productive and healthy life, free from fear," he said.

Gammill, a 26-year resident of Belmont, has had an active career in finance, technology, politics, government and non-profit management. He served on the campaign and White House staffs for President Jimmy Carter. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT's Sloan School and taught finance at Harvard and MIT. He took up software development and built risk-management and investment systems for Republic New York Bank, Salomon Brothers, and Invesco.

He is an active investor in New England-area start-ups through Launchpad Venture Group. In the past five years he was the chief of staff and then volunteer treasurer of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, working with 175 congregations throughout eastern Massachusetts.

Gammill is a member of Belmont Town Meeting from precinct 2 and is a member of the town's Capital Endowment Committee. He and his wife, Susan Alexander, moved to the district when their oldest child was less than a year old; their four children are now adults.

For more information about Jim Gammill and his campaign, visit www.VoteGammill.net or call him at 617-209-9214.