LUNENBURG -- Beacon Hill is broken and new leadership is needed to eliminate an estimated budget deficit of more than a billion dollars, according to Kurt Hayes, candidate for state representative in the 37th Worcester District.

"We're not being efficient or spending money wisely and the businesses and people are leaving the state," Hayes, a Republican from Boxborough, said during a recent interview. "We need to make ourselves more efficient, while at the same time serving our customers better. In a business, you have to do those things every day."

His opponent, Democrat Jennifer Benson of Lunenburg, believes the state should be focusing on retaining and attracting businesses in order to grow jobs and keep the economy strong.

She said having a strong public education system is closely linked to a strong economy.

"Having a well-educated workforce right here in the state is great for employers and people who want to start their own business," said Benson, who is chairwoman of the Lunenburg School Committee. "Investment in public education is vital."

The two candidates are facing off in the Nov. 4 general election for the state representative seat being vacated by Democrat Jamie Eldridge.

Benson cites the environment as one of her top priorities in this election and supports investments in alternative energy.

"Our reliance on fossil fuels has led us to a very difficult economic place with prices escalating over the last several years," Benson

said. "It puts towns and homeowners in a difficult position and it's not good for our environment. We need to be investing in clean energy and ways to wean ourselves off of fossil fuel."

Benson said economic development is also one of her top priorities.

If elected, she has promised to create a business help desk so owners and managers are fully aware of the state-sponsored programs that assist in financing, creating business plans, and other services.

Hayes said as a state representative he would call for a top-to-bottom review of the budget, in order to find areas to cut spending.

"I've been saying all summer that we need to reform our government if we're going to hold the line on taxes," Hayes said. "Now, because the legislature knowingly passed a budget that is more than a billion dollars out of balance, you're finally see the governor and legislature make this top-to-bottom prioritization that I've been calling for."

He said the state can reduce spending by combining agencies and finding areas to cut back. State aid for local governments and education, however, should be left alone, Hayes said.

"My first two priorities are what you're going to hear from everybody," Hayes said. "I want to protect state aid for our schools and our towns and our most vulnerable citizens."

Hayes supports rolling back the state income tax from 5.3 percent to 5 percent.

"I will be a firm advocate of rolling back the income tax to 5 percent, which is what voters passed in 2000," Hayes said. "It requires us to find about $700 million in savings, or about 2.5 percent of the overall budget. That means for every $100 we spend, we need to find $2.50 in savings and waste, and I know we can do that if we take this top-to-bottom approach."

Benson said she would wait for the economy to stabilize before agreeing to roll back the income tax.

"I wouldn't do it right now, and actually, if you look at what the legislature has done, my understanding is that when certain economic factors are in place they will trigger the additional rollback to 5 percent," Benson said. "We just haven't had a stable enough economy to trigger them. I think it's much too risky right now with the state we are in with the national economy."

Both candidates are opposed to ballot Question 1, which if approved, would repeal the income tax.

"I am not in favor of completely eliminating the state income tax," Hayes said. "On principle though, I will support the will of the voters in my district. If they get it passed, I will honor their wishes."

Benson said she supports forming a coalition with nearby states to lobby the federal government for more heating assistance for the entire region.

"That is critical," Benson said. "We can work more effectively if we can get our neighbors involved."

She also said the state should offer more programs to help homeowners, businesses and towns perform energy audits and transition to more efficient heating systems.

"These are things the state can do and I think it's very important not only for individual homeowner, but it applies to municipal governments as well," Benson said. "You look at our town hall in Lunenburg, the building is ancient and very inefficient with heating."

Hayes said Gov. Deval Patrick should be doing more to lobby the federal government for additional heating assistance.

"Not only should the governor (be) going down to Washington to lobby for more heating oil assistance, he should be lobbying for us to increase our domestic oil supply," Hayes said. "That will bring prices down. You can't just think long term here. I'm all for renewable energies and investment in that. But if we have short term means to lower prices, we should be doing that as well."

Both candidates oppose Patrick's plan to build three large casinos in the state as a way to create jobs and generate revenue.

"I have said all along that I was against the casino proposal," Benson said. "I felt there wasn't enough data backing it up as far as revenue projections and the impact on local towns. I think the governor tried to bring forward a proposal that would help bridge a revenue gap and I applaud that he is looking outside the box. But if we're going to bring in something brand new, we need data that is as indisputable as possible so you can make an educated decision for the state."

Hayes said he is open to exploring casinos, but felt that Patrick's plan was too large.

"I'm not against casinos or gambling as a form of occasional adult recreation," Hayes said. "But start at a small scale in an area where there is already gambling."

Hayes, a former independent, switched to the Republican party following an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Congress during a special election in 2007.

"I couldn't get into debates, and had trouble getting financial support and my name out there," Hayes said of that election. "I knew I had to join a party. Where my core values are and where the challenges are on Beacon Hill, it was no problem at all that I selected the Republican party. I think they are going to be the beacon for change when you talk about the problems we have at the statehouse with one-party rule."

Hayes is pro-life and supports civil unions, but not gay marriage.

"I am not in favor of the courts imposing their will on us," Hayes said. "We need to look at giving the voters the opportunity to voice their say."

Benson supports gay marriage, and says that it is a civil rights issue. She is also pro-choice.

"I believe that abortions should be safe, legal, and as infrequent as possible," Benson said.

Benson said her experience serving the town of Lunenburg on several boards over the past six years will allow her to hit the ground running in Boston.

"I come out of local government," Benson said. "I have spent six years serving the town and learning a great deal about municipal finance and Mass. general laws and how they apply to funding education and the services we have in the towns. Going from the town level to the state level, you're starting so much father along as far as your basic knowledge."

Hayes, who has never held a political office, calls Benson an "aspiring Beacon Hill insider" who will offer residents more of the same.

"Everyone I've spoken with has agreed with my message that Beacon Hill is broken," Hayes said. "How are we going to get change? If we keep electing Beacon Hill insiders, or as in the case of my opponent, an aspiring Beacon Hill insider, nothing is going to change."

Benson laughs off her opponent's charge that she will be an insider.

"He's been saying this all along with actually nothing to back it up," Benson said. "He says this because I'm a Democrat. I have been a Democrat my entire life. It has nothing to do with Beacon Hill. I grew up in New Hampshire and I have always shared the values of the Democratic Party."

Benson said she has run an independent grassroots campaign.

"Coming out of local government shows my ability to work in a bipartisan environment, because that's what local politics is all about," Benson said.

Between January and September, Benson raised about $33,000 for her campaign including a $5,000 contribution from herself, according to campaign filing reports. She spent about $29,000 on her campaign during that period, primarily on consulting, polling, and her campaign manager.

Hayes raised nearly $15,000 during that same time period and spent about $6,500. His largest contribution came from the Acton Republican Town Committee, which gave $1,000 to his campaign. Office, printing, and postage supplies made up the majority of his expenses.

Hayes said voters won't have to look hard to find difference between him and Benson.

"The only thing we have in common is that we both have three children in public schools in our towns," Hayes said. "She is a proud, progressive liberal. We clearly have different approaches and different answers."

Benson said she has been more specific than Hayes in providing solutions to the state's problems.

She cited her interest in reforming special education funding by tying the funds for a particular student in need of services directly to that student, rather than reimbursing the expenses to the school district after the fact.

"My opponent simply has not come out with anything specific," Benson said. "He's made a lot of promises but there is nothing backing them up. I consider that the politics as usual approach."

If elected, Benson said there are several committees she would be interested in serving on that could be important to her constituency.

"Eventually I would like to get on Ways and Means," Benson said. "But the Joint Committee on Education would really be a good fit for me. Also the committee on environment and agriculture. A large part of this district is still agricultural. We have a lot of family farms. So I feel that is a good fit for a representative from this area."

Hayes said he is interested in the committees on Ways and Means, Health Care, and Ethics and Reform. As a Republican, Hayes said he is in a much better position to get on the more sought-after committees.

"(Benson) goes in as one of about 140 and I go in as one of about 20, so who will get on those committees?" Hayes said. "She's in a long line. Out of necessity, Republicans automatically get on those committees that really control the agenda. It doesn't mean I have the votes. But I am at the table with the people making those decisions."

Hayes said his interest in cutting back spending could make him an ally to the governor during these difficult economic times, despite his political affiliation.

"Every special interest group has a line-item in that budget, including the state reps who are, in a sense, in the back pockets of the lobbyists and special interest groups," Hayes said. "They're going to fight that reform every step of the way. Their agenda is to expand government programs and spending. Mine is to live within the means of the taxpayer while we provide the services and support we need."

Hayes said his experience working for IBM provides him with business savvy that he can draw on as a state representative.

"In my job, I'm a facilitator," Hayes said. "I bring together our customers, our sales teams, to get things done. We have one motivation: to help that customer save money and work better. We work through differences to get to the common goal. A lot of people say, 'Yeah, we could use that up on Beacon Hill.'"

Benson said her real-world experience will benefit her in Boston.

"I have a good understanding of what is important to families in this district and how hard it's been for them," Benson said. "I'm a mother of three and have lived in this area since 1996. For many years, we were a single-income family. I'm in a very good position to really understand the needs of the families."

Hayes said he urges residents unhappy with the status quo to vote for him on Nov. 4.

"If you agree that Beacon Hill is broken, and everyone I've spoken with does, then how do you, as Ben Franklin said, stop the insanity of doing the same thing and expecting different results?" Hayes said. "You need to start electing different types of leaders. Elect someone with a different approach. This isn't a political career move for me. I just want to serve the people."

But Benson said she is the independent voice who will create positive changes on Beacon Hill.

"I am dedicated to the work of this district," Benson said. "I'm offering specific solutions to many of the problems in the state."